South Africa: Copper Cable Syndicate Convicted

18 May 2023
South African Police Service (Pretoria)
press release

Ernisto Siquque (34), Alfred Makamu (28), Edson Mbiza (31), Msindisi Mbeki(38) and Elvis Mathabela (21) were convicted before the Tlhabane Magistrates' court on 17 May 2023. It is alleged that on 21 July 202, the syndicate was found underground at Impala Platinum mine by members of Bidvest Protea Coin, with copper cable wrapped around their bodies.

They were arrested by the Hawks' Serious Organised Crime Investigation and charged with tempering with essential infrastructure, theft of copper cable, trespassing and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The accused were each sentenced to five years direct imprisonment. Four accused, excluding Mbeki were additionally sentenced to twelve months imprisonment for contravention of the immigration act. They were further all declared unfit to possess firearms.

Read the original article on SAPS.

Tagged:
Copyright © 2023 South African Police Service. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). To contact the copyright holder directly for corrections — or for permission to republish or make other authorized use of this material, click here.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.