Court sends man to prison for tampering at sub-station
Siphesihle Malinga gets 21 years' imprisonment.
BETHAL – The Bethal Regional Court has sentenced Siphesihle Malinga (30) to 21 years’ imprisonment following his conviction on three counts.
Malinga was sentenced on April 9 to 12 years’ imprisonment for damage to essential infrastructure, five years’ imprisonment for assault and four years’ imprisonment for trying to escape from lawful custody.
This sentence concluded a case that began on November 14, 2004, when Malinga was caught red-handed inside a Govan Mbeki municipal electric substation in Extension 4 in eMzinoni.
It was alleged that he was stealing and damaging electrical cables. Before the police arrived at the sub-station, an angry community assaulted Malinga.
Following his arrest, he was transported to Bethal Hospital for medical treatment. While under police guard at the hospital, Malinga attempted to escape from lawful custody and assaulted a police officer.
This led to two additional charges, attempted escape and assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
eMzinoni police spokesperson, Sergeant Cynthia Mtsweni, commended the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Sibusiso Bhekiswayo, and other police members and witnesses who played a key role in securing the conviction.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality also welcomed the sentence, and municipal spokesperson, Donald Green, stated that it should serve as a strong warning to individuals involved in the vandalism of essential infrastructure.
Municpal by-law enforcement officers arrested two suspects on April 15 who were caught tampering with essential municipal infrastructure in Extension 9 in eMbalenhle.
These suspects were apprehended by municipal officers and subsequently handed over to the police in eMbalenhle for formal detention and charging.
According to Green, investigations are currently underway to determine the full extent of the damage and to establish whether the suspects are linked to broader criminal syndicates.
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“The municipality issues a stern warning to all residents: tampering with the electrical grid and municipal meters is a serious criminal offence,” said Green.
He added that such illegal activities are among the leading causes of unplanned power outages, transformer failures, and dangerous safety hazards, including fires and electrocution.
Green warned that residents found with tampered or bypassed meters will face immediate removal of municipal infrastructure, penalties and fines, as well as criminal prosecution in terms of national legislation.
“We cannot allow the actions of a few to disrupt essential services for the many. Our teams are working tirelessly to safeguard community assets, but we require residents’ help to act as our eyes and ears.”
He urged the community to report any illegal connections or suspicious activities around municipal infrastructure to the municipal call centre at 0800 600 001/2/4, via WhatsApp at 083 790 0659, or to SAPS Emergency Services at 10111.
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