Elsburg SAPS welcomes convictions for infrastructure crimes

Elsburg SAPS has welcomed the successful conviction and sentencing of two accused persons for crimes linked to theft and tampering with essential infrastructure.

In the first case, a 42-year-old man, Tshepo Sabatha Mokoantle, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of tampering with essential infrastructure.

In the second case, the Germiston Magistrate’s Court also sentenced 32-year-old Thembinkosi Sithole to five years’ direct imprisonment for theft and tampering with essential infrastructure.

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Mokoantle was arrested after security alarms went off, alerting the security team to a break-in at the substation.

Speaking to the investigating officer, Sergeant Innocent Khatle, of the Elsburg Essential Infrastructure Task Team, cases of security apprehending suspects and bringing them to the station are not unusual.

Khatle said Mokoantle was first arrested in 2014 for vandalising the Wadeville Substation, but he was granted bail.

“While on bail, he absconded from court appearances while the investigations were running. A search warrant was granted after he disappeared.

“The residential address he gave us during the bail hearing checked out; it was an address from Katlehong. But he was now destitute.

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“On February 1 this year, we went to the same substation, in Wadeville, to steal, and he was caught and re-arrested.

“While busy with his case, it was revealed that his previous case was pending. He was denied bail the second time around.

Mokoantle was sentenced to 15 years on each case, but the sentences will run concurrently.

“He is now at the Boksburg Prison where he will continue to serve his sentence,” said Khatle.

The experienced officer finds that unemployment plays a role in motivating most people to resort to vandalism of public infrastructure.

He said this suspect reported being involved in these shenanigans to earn some income, as he was unemployed and destitute.

“This act is unacceptable, and it costs the government and the city of Ekurhuleni a lot of money. In these two cases, he cost the municipality more than R1m.

“Bear in mind the households or companies that are affected.

Mokoantle was sentenced on May 14 to 15 years’ imprisonment in the Germiston Magistrate’s Court.

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According to Khatle, in the case involving Sithole, the Germiston Magistrate’s Court also sentenced him for theft and tampering with essential infrastructure.

The incident happened on February 21, 2025, when Sithole was arrested by Elsburg SAPS members after he was found in possession of a stolen copper cable.

In May, Detective Sergeant Kgatle secured a conviction after the court found Sithole guilty and imposed a sentence of three years’ direct imprisonment.

Khatle explained that Sithole was found digging a Telkom cable in Tedstoneville and he was arrested.
He was denied bail, said the IO after pleading guilty to the charges.

“He was then sentenced to 5 years in direct imprisonment,” said Khatle.

Khatle said they accept both convictions, and he has other cases awaiting court judgments.

Elsburg SAPS station commander, Colonel Louis Sibonangaye Maluleka, welcomed the sentence and said that crimes affecting essential infrastructure will continue to be investigated and prosecuted without compromise.

“Tampering with infrastructure remains a priority crime because of its impact on service delivery and public safety,” said Maluleka.

Khatle began his policing career in 2005, joining the force as a trainee and soon climbing the ranks.
After the initial basic six-month training, Khatle was posted to Elsburg SAPS, joining the detective rank in 2010.

In 2022, he joined the Elsburg Essential Infrastructure Task Team and has since dealt with multiple cases.

He also holds multiple police accolades, including the Soccer World Cup 2010 Support Medal and the 15 Years of Service Award.

Khatle joined the force, inspired somehow by his late brother, who was stationed at Alberton SAPS.

Khatle said his brother was a disciplined officer, and they became closer as they were both now officers.

“We would laugh and brag to each other about how many convictions we have secured this time or arrests we have made; it became a healthy competition between us,” said Khatle.

GCN spoke to Khatle after receiving two certificates of appreciation from Maluleka for his above convictions.

He said the certificate ceremony motivates officers to go the extra mile in their work.