By Jonk wa Mashamba
news@alexreporter.co.za
The Ga-Rankuwa Regional Court sentenced Ofentse Kau (36), to 15 years imprisonment with 5 years suspended for a period of 5 years, effectively convicting him to 10 years direct imprisonment on a charge of cable theft.
Kau’s conviction is a result of his apprehension by the Eskom security officers on 20 October 2022, after being spotted through surveillance cameras at the Ga-Rankuwa industrial site, in possession of 400m commercial copper cable which was meant for replacement.
According to NPA spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, he was subsequently handed to the police and charged with cable theft.
“He pleaded guilty to the offence and the court also denied him bail,” said Mamothame.
In aggravation of the sentence, the state prosecutor, Adv Mummy Mosonodi urged the court to consider the load-shedding crisis the country is experiencing as a result of cable theft.
She further alluded to the financial implications suffered by Eskom as a main service provider of electricity. Magistrate Marianne Wessel agreed with the state and imposed a 15-year jail term, with 5 years suspended for 5 years.
” The Director of Public Prosecutions in the North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, lauded the prosecutor, Detective Sergeant Tshepo Phale from the SAPS and the Eskom security officers, for bringing the perpetrator to book. She alluded to the detriment brought by such offences to the economic growth of the country,” Mamothame said.
