Lesotho man jailed nine years for copper cable theft in Ekurhuleni

The City of Ekurhuleni welcomed the nine-year prison sentence handed down to a Lesotho national, Khothatso Adora, for his role in the theft of copper cables in Brakpan.

This decision by the Brakpan Regional Court has sent a clear message that theft and tampering with critical municipal infrastructure will be met with severe legal consequences.

Adora’s sentence is not only a punishment for the crime he committed, but also a stern warning to others considering similar criminal acts in the future.

“The rise in cable theft has become a serious challenge for municipalities across South Africa, including Ekurhuleni, where such crimes have led to numerous disruptions in essential services,” said city spokesperson Zweli Dlamini.

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“Power outages, the theft of streetlights and traffic lights, and the gradual deterioration of vital infrastructure have all been linked to the growing problem of cable theft.

“The consequences of these thefts often extend beyond mere financial loss, causing inconvenience and safety hazards for residents, and placing a significant strain on municipal resources,” he said.

“Adora, a 42-year-old illegal immigrant from Lesotho, was arrested in March 2023 while in the act of stealing copper cables.

“Adora was caught red-handed digging up and removing copper cables, a crime that has become increasingly common due to the high value of copper on the black market,” said Dlamini.

“At his trial, Adora pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with essential infrastructure and theft of municipal property, but admitted guilt to a third charge of illegal immigration. Despite his plea, the court found him guilty on all charges, and he was sentenced to nine years in prison,” said Dlamini.

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The City of Ekurhuleni has made it clear that the fight against cable theft and infrastructure vandalism cannot be won by law enforcement alone.

While the city has implemented various security measures, including surveillance technologies and enhanced patrols, authorities are urging members of the public to play a more active role in reporting suspicious activity near municipal infrastructure.

Residents are encouraged to be vigilant and report any unusual activity to the city’s call centre on 0860 54 3000 or through the My COE App, which allows for real-time reporting and immediate response from authorities.