Thieves get 17 years for trying to steal copper cables
The men were caught red-handed by members of a private security company while digging up cables on the N4.
Two alleged Mozambique nationals were sentenced to 17 years in prison on August 17 at the Pretoria North magistrate’s court for trying to steal copper cables.
The men (both 35) were charged with tampering with essential infrastructure, entering the country without valid documentation and remaining without validation.
They were arrested on December 14, 2020, after they were apprehended by a security company who caught them digging up cables on Willem Crywagen Street alongside the N4 highway, according to Akasia police spokesperson Constable Lindiwe Mabasa.
“According to the private security company investigator, in the early hours of that morning, he was called by his colleagues. They told him that three men were standing by the side of the road where cables ran who later dug through the wall that protected the cables until they were exposed,” she said.
“He then rushed to the scene of the crime. Upon arrival, he found the trio cutting the cables. When they spotted his vehicle, they ran.
“Two men ran in the same direction and were caught by security company employees while the other man ran in the opposite direction.
“Both men were taken to the police station where they were placed under arrest.
“Equipment used by the men, which included a pick, screwdriver and a stick, was confiscated.”
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