SASOLBURG.- A Lesotho national, Leona Moleko (23), was found guilty and sentenced by the Sasolburg Regional Court for tempering with essential infrastructure, theft and illegally entering or remaining in the country.

The sentencing emanates from a case that was registered against Moleko on 19 February 2022 after he was found cutting copper cable belonging to Transnet at Wolwehoek in the Zamdela district.

He was found in possession of the copper cable amounting to R40 961.12.

The matter was later referred to Welkom-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation of the Hawks for further investigation.

Moleko was sentenced to ten years imprisonment for tempering with infrastructure, another ten years imprisonment for theft, and three months imprisonment for illegally entering or remaining in the country. The sentences will run concurrently. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in the Free State, Major General Mokgadi Bokaba applauded the investigating officer for a job well done.