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Thupeyo Muleya
Beitbridge Bureau
Five Zimbabweans have been jailed by a South African court for more than 10 years after being convicted of stealing copper cables and violating immigration laws.
Northern Cape Division, spokesperson, Mr Mojalefa Senokoatsane said Mbonisi Ndlovu (27), Doubt Mlilo (28), Mbonisi Dube (33), Mduduzi Ndlovu (23), and Gundo Masikhiwa (26) were convicted and sentenced by the Upington Regional Court.
“The accused were all found guilty, and they were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for the theft of batteries, as well as nine months’ imprisonment for the theft of copper cables,” he said.
“In addition, the five were sentenced to three years’ imprisonment for contravening the Immigration Act.
Mr Senokoatsane said on July 29 last year, the police received information that there were suspicious-looking men near a cell phone tower at Eensaam Kasteel Farm near Upington.
The police reacted swiftly to the information and upon arrival at the phone tower, they found the accused persons in possession of stolen copper cables and batteries.
“It was later determined that five are Zimbabweans that had entered and remained in South Africa illegally,” he said.
Online Reporter