Ezinqoleni vandal jailed for 15 years
The Ugu security team and police are praised for their diligent efforts.
Fezile Bho Zama was found guilty of vandalising the Ezinqoleni water pump station in July, where he stole two water pumps and copper cables, thereby disrupting water supply to local communities.
Izingolweni Regional Court handed Zama a 15 year sentence for housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft on Tuesday last week.
Ugu District Municipality’s spokesperson, France Zama, said this decision was reached after comprehensive investigations by Mthokozisi Mkhomo, head of security services at Ugu, in collaboration with the Ezinqoleni Saps.
Zama, a resident of Ezinqoleni near the N2, was arrested in the Murchison area and made several court appearances before pleading guilty to all charges on November 29.
Acting municipal manager Vela Mazibuko praised the Ugu security team and the police for their diligent efforts in capturing Zama and delivering justice to communities frequently impacted by water supply issues due to infrastructure sabotage.
Ugu mayor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi expressed support for the sentence on behalf of the Ugu council, emphasising that it should serve as a strong warning to all individuals who engage in criminal activities that undermine essential government infrastructure and deny Ugu communities their right to access water.
“Acts of sabotage or criminal activities such as the theft of cables and batteries significantly disrupt municipal water infrastructure, leading to adverse effects on water delivery to our communities. The damage inflicted on this infrastructure results in prolonged interruptions to water supply, leaving communities without essential services while efforts are made to address the issue.”
Mqadi encouraged residents to report criminal activities, emphasising that they are perpetrated by individuals within communities.
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