The Springs Magistrate’s Court sentenced Bafana Mzima (24) to eight years imprisonment for stealing essential infrastructure from a railway line.
The court heard that on March 17 of this year, a tip-off from an informant led to the sighting of two men trying to sell Transnet’s earthing copper cables in Slovo Park.
Sergeant Themba Tshabalala, the spokesperson for Springs SAPS, reported that a police officer swiftly responded, but the men had already departed towards Bakerton.
“The officer intercepted them near the Blesbok River bridge, resulting in one man escaping, while Mzima was apprehended,” said Tshabalala.
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“Upon searching Mzima, police discovered 30 earthing copper cables and a hacksaw in his possession. In addition to the cables, a bag containing gloves, a shifting spanner, hacksaw, screwdriver and a vice grip spanner was recovered,” Tshabalala added.
During questioning, Mzima admitted to stealing the cables from a Transnet railway station in Welgdacht and intending to sell them to scrapyards.
The non-ferrous metal, valued at about R100 000, was positively identified as belonging to Transnet.
Mzima was convicted on June 7 for stealing ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
The Springs SAPS station commander, Brigadier Raymond Buthelezi, commended investigating officer Sergeant Busi Mahlangu’s exemplary work,
“Sergeant Mahlangu’s dedication and thoroughness were instrumental in bringing this case to a successful conclusion,” said Buthelezi.
