Detective hailed as copper thieves handed hefty sentence
Captain Louise le Roux said the duo were apprehended by Transnet security officers after stealing copper cables worth R96 000, within the Bayhead area on November 5, last year.
A Brighton beach police detective, Sergeant Innocentia Thandiwe Ngcongo, has been hailed following the conviction and sentencing of two cable thieves.
Nhlanhla Khumalo and Dumisani Khuzwayo, who both pleaded guilty, were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment in the Durban Magistrates Court recently. They were also declared unfit to be in possession of a firearm.
Captain Louise le Roux said the duo were apprehended by Transnet security officers after stealing copper cables worth R96 000, within the Bayhead area on November 5, last year.
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She said they were charged with theft of essential infrastructure in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act.
“The Criminal Matters Amendment Act criminalises the unlawful and international tampering with or damaging or destroying of essential infrastructure. It also provides for a severe penalty to be imposed on offenders.
Le Roux said Sergeant Ngcongo, who was the investigating officer, approached the men’s bail application with tenacity and successfully opposed their release.
“She ensured the perpetrators remained in custody, preventing them from absconding trail. With precision and diligence she prepared the docket for court proceedings.
“The Brighton Beach police management is with the sentence that was handed down, as damage to essential infrastructure is a problematic crime within our policing precinct.
“Furthermore, detective sergeant Ngcongo’s conviction achieved through her skills and competency as a detective, accompanied with her diligent service, sends out a stern message to aspiring cable thieves that they will pay the price for their criminality.
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