Trio get 10 years each for infrastructure tampering
Investigating officer Sergeant Tebogo Modika died on November 23, just two days before the suspects were convicted.
Mokete Rakabaele (36), Tebogo Bamphile Mashabela (31) and France Khoza (28) were each recently sentenced to 10 years in prison for tampering with essential infrastructure.
The incident occurred on May 18, 2018, when Kempton Park police officers on patrol spotted the trio digging for copper cables at the corner of Director and Green avenues.
They found the suspects with a pick, axe, saw and shovel. They could not provide a satisfactory explanation for their actions.
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According to Captain Nelda Sekgobela, the SAPS Ekurhuleni district communications officer, the suspects were detained at Kempton Park SAPS, and the case was handed to the late Sergeant Tebogo Modika.
Modika, attached to the Ekurhuleni District Essential Infrastructure Unit, worked diligently to piece together all the leads, securing a conviction in the Kempton Park Regional Court on November 25.
Tragically, Modika died on November 23, just two days before the suspects were convicted.
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“The late Sergeant Modika’s dedication to justice and her commitment to safeguarding the economy and well-being of citizens will not be forgotten,” said Sekgobela.
Ekurhuleni district commissioner, Major General Anna Sithole, praised the swift response by the officers and posthumously commended Modika for her work in ensuring justice was served.
