A 10-year sentence of direct imprisonment is considered a victory for justice.
This comes after 26-year-old Mzwakhe Simin Maseteng was convicted of cable theft on November 8.
The sentence was handed down by the Nigel Magistrate’s Court after excellent detective work carried out by Duduza SAPS member Sgt Vernon Mofokeng.
Maseteng was convicted under Section 3(1)(a) Act of 2015 for tampering, damaging and destroying essential infrastructure.
He was arrested in October 2019 after he dug, cut and stole cables in Vlakfontein in Duduza.
The area and many others have seen an increase in cases of cable theft.
“Cable theft causes unnecessary power outages and can permanently damage the electric infrastructure that frustrates several communities,” said Sgt Harry Manaka, corporate communications officer of Duduza SAPS.
“Hopefully, the sentence will send a strong message to those who continue or intend to damage and steal cables.”
