| 2024/11/23 |
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Media Statement MPUMALANGA – Nombango Claudia Mogiba was found guilty and sentenced by the Calcutta Regional Court on Thursday, 21 November 2024, for possession of stolen property (Eskom copper cables) The sentenced follows after the accused was arrested during search and seizure operation conducted by the team comprising of The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Nelspruit based Serious Organised Crime Investigation, Combined Private Investigators and Calcutta South African Police Service on Sunday, 28 January 2024 at Calcutta-Mkhuhlu area. Information was received and operationalised regarding a house at Mkhuhlu area whereby there were copper cables. On arrival at the identified address, the permission for search was granted. During the search in the presence of the accused a roll of suspected Eskom aluminium cables were identified covered with a black sail next to the house, other small rolls of suspected Eskom cables were further identified in a trench next to the wall covered with a black Transnet sail. Eskom security were summoned and confirmed that the properties belongs to Eskom. The team continued with the such whereby lots of aluminium pots were found in the room and identified as been manufactured by smelting Eskom copper cables with estimated value of R30 800-00 The accused was arrested, charged and detained pending her first court appearance on Monday, 29 January 2024 whereby she was remanded in custody until 2 February 2024 and she was granted bail. The accused appeared in court on several occasions and she was found guilty and convicted on 28 October 2024 and the case was postponed to 21 November 2024 for sentencing. The accused appeared at Calcutta Regional Court on Thursday, 21 November 2024 and she was sentenced as follows: Sentence R10 000 fine or 5 years suspended for 5 years.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Gerber applauded the investigative team for securing this type of sentence which will sent a clear message to those would be thieves. The General said with a concern that South Africans are all too familiar with the daily theft of copper cables and other items from infrastructure meant to and contribute to the smooth running of the county. The General urged the public to refrain from such behaviours and to report the incidents to the Law enforcement agencies.
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