Cable theft in Belfast lands foreign national in prison for 15 years
The state advocate submitted the stolen copper cables as evidence during the court proceedings.
The Belfast Magistrate’s Court sentenced a Mozambican national to 15 years of direct imprisonment on May 23 for damaging critical infrastructure belonging to Transnet.
Almeida Algerto Ndeve (33) was sentenced to an additional 12 months’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said Ndeve’s arrest follows a spike in copper cable theft in the Fairview railway area of Machadodorp. She said Transnet had increased security patrols in response to this surge in criminal activity.
According to Nyuswa, on the evening of May 21, 2024, Ndeve and a group of unknown individuals were caught in the act of cutting copper cables. His accomplices managed to flee, but Ndeve was apprehended at the scene in possession of stolen copper cables.
“During the investigation, it was established that Ndeve was residing illegally in South Africa, leading to the additional charge under the Immigration Act. In court, Ndeve pleaded guilty to the immigration charge but denied involvement in the cable theft,” Nyuswa said.
State Advocate Makhosonkhe Mashinini led compelling testimony from security personnel who apprehended Ndeve, and submitted the stolen copper cables as evidence.
Nyuswa said a Transnet investigating officer identified the recovered cables as property of the company. The court found the state witnesses credible and convicted Ndeve on both charges.
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In aggravation of sentence, Mashinini highlighted the seriousness and frequency of crimes targeting critical infrastructure, underlining the devastating impact such crimes have on service delivery and the economy.
The acting director of public prosecutions in Mpumalanga, Sonja Ntuli, said the NPA stands resolute in its mission to defend South Africa’s infrastructure.
“Acts of sabotage against public assets are not just criminal; they are attacks on the nation’s ability to deliver essential services. The NPA will continue to pursue and prosecute offenders with unwavering resolve, ensuring that justice is done.”
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The court declared Ndeve unfit to possess a firearm and ordered that he be deported upon completion of his sentence.
