The Bronkhorstspruit Magistrate’s Court sentenced Shady Mhlanga, known by his alias Thobane Skhosana, to 35 years imprisonment on Tuesday, August 27.
The Zimbabwean national was arrested in 2022 after Transnet officials actioned his takedown with the assistance of Bidvest security on suspicion of him siphoning fuel off a Transnet pipe in Silverton.
Leaks were detected between Waltloo and Kendal in Silverton when the fuel pressure in the pipeline dropped.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Lloyd Ramovha said Mhlanga was sentenced to 20 years for tampering with essential infrastructure, 10 years for theft of petrol from the Transnet pipeline and five years for theft of a tanker.
“The court has, however, ordered that counts 2 and 3 run concurrently with count 1.”
He said Mhlanga was arrested on the morning of Saturday, December 31, 2022, after Bidvest security officials responded to suspicious activity in Waltloo along the fuel pipeline.
“He attempted to evade being captured, but his efforts were in vain after he was found hiding in the bushes.
The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation linked him to three similar cases in the Boschkop, Putfontein, and Silverton policing precincts in a space of four months that same year.”
Ramovha said the damage to the essential infrastructure was estimated at R500 000, whilst the stolen fuel was worth approximately R800 000 and the truck an estimated R800 000.
He said the court also considered the value of the rehabilitation of the contaminated land and repairs to the Transnet pipeline, which cost a cumulative R35.2-million.
“His numerous bail bids were successfully opposed by the investigation team, and he has been in prison since his arrest.”
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Gauteng Major General Ebrahim Kadwa has lauded the investigators for the successful prosecution of the accused.
Transnet Pipelines’ chief executive (TPL) Sibongiseni Khathi welcomed the sentence.
Khathi said the verdict highlighted the serious consequences of crimes that threaten South Africa’s critical infrastructure.
“The case dates back to December 2022, when TPL’s Network Operations Centre (NOC) detected a significant pressure drop on the Kendal to Waltloo pipeline around 01:55. Security teams were promptly deployed and they identified a suspicious fuel tanker near a known hotspot in the Boschkop area,” Kathi said.
“The driver, later identified as Mhlanga, attempted to flee by abandoning the moving vehicle and escaping into nearby bushes. However, the ground teams quickly apprehended Mhlanga. Subsequent investigations revealed that an illegal fitting had been welded into the pipeline, facilitating the theft of 33 994 litres of petrol. The stolen fuel was recovered and confirmed to match the TPL product from the pipeline.”
Kathi said this verdict sends a clear message that tampering with critical infrastructure and stealing the nation’s resources are grave offences that will not go unpunished.
“The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and its impact on both the economy and society. We are proud of the swift and effective response from our security teams and the collaboration with law enforcement that led to this outcome.”
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