Potchefstroom Regional Court sentenced a copper cable thief, Tebogo Simon Molapo (34) to 12 years imprisonment for theft of copper cable on Wednesday, 14 February.

Molapo’s sentencing emanated from an arrest for copper cable theft, which occurred in Dassierand on Sunday, 7 May.

Evidence presented in court revealed that a security officer was conducting patrols around the hospital premises when he saw an electric transformer standing open with some tools nearby. The inquisitive security officer was still looking around when three males jumped out of the tall grass, were they hid themselves and ran away.

According to NW police spokesperson, Col. Adele Myburgh, the Security Officer managed to arrest one of them.

“He and his colleague summoned the police and the man, together with the tools and approximately 10 metres of copper cable, worth R5000, was handed to the police,” stated Myburgh.

Upon being sentenced, four of the 12 years imprisonment, was suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of theft or its competent verdict thereto committed during the period of suspension.

The District Commissioner of Dr Kenneth Kaunda, Major General Suzette Pretorius commended security officers for their alertness, which resulted in the arrest. She also thanked the Investigating Officer, D/Sergeant Magdeline Mothebe and the Prosecutor, Mrs Adele Horn for the prompt investigation and prosecution, which ascertained that the accused is sentenced within nine months after the commission of the crime.