Sasolburg Magistrates’ Court sentenced Norman Tsvito to 15 years direct imprisonment, Cliff Mtantho, Beckham Mtando & George Katumba were sentenced to a fine of R1000 or 30 days imprisonment for theft & tempering with essential infrastructure.

A spokesperson for the Hawks in the Free State, Christopher Singo, says their sentence originates from an incident which took place on Saturday, 01 August 2020 at 01:30 where Transnet received a pressure drop from their pipeline at Taaibos farm in Zamdela Sasolburg.

“The incident was immediately reported to the members of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Investigation team based in Sasolburg who then attended to the complaint.”

When the police arrive at the crime scene, they found the accused loading crude oil from the valve into the truck. The accused were then arrested and they appeared in court on several occasions culminated in their recent sentencing.”

The court sentenced Tsvito to fifteen (15) years direct imprisonment and the other three accused were sentenced to a fine of R1000 or thirty (30) days imprisonment.