The fire at Tutuka Power Station in Standerton led to the arrest of five Lesotho nationals, who were caught red-handed digging up and skinning copper cables valued at about R3 200 on November 29 last year.
According to a recent statement from the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, security personnel on duty received a call regarding a fire which broke out in the utility and all role players were activated.
Mokhele Mokhele (21), Tshwarelo Moloi (32), Makato Motsepa (41), Machabe Nkhere (27) and Johannes Twala (57) were arrested, then denied bail on their first day in court.
Their fate was decided on September 27. Mokhele was sentenced to 15 years direct imprisonment, while Moloi, Motsepa, Nkhere and Twala were each sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment for damage to essential infrastructure.
The provincial commissioner of SAPS, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela, said the sentences will hopefully serve as a deterrent to others who might consider engaging in damaging essential infrastructure.
