By: Natasha Archary
Former PRASA employee, Sphiwe Mngadi has been sentenced to 12-years imprisonment for cable theft amounting to an estimated R1-million.
The decision has been welcomed by both PRASA as well as Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula.
Mngadi was convicted on Tuesday, 31 May, for tampering with and destroying essential infrastructure in 2018.
Two PRASA security guards caught Mngadi and an accomplice removing copper cables in a marked PRASA vehicle.
The former PRASA employee was found with 12 rolls of copper, weighing almost 192kgs.
While PRASA says the sentencing is below the minimum sentence of 15-years, the ruling sets a strong message to employees who may be contemplating theft.
“Indeed the tide is turning on cable theft. To date 454 suspects have been arrested for vandalism and theft, a total of 118 court cases have been finalised amounting to a combined 764 years imprisonment.”
Meanwhile, Minister Mbalula showed his support against theft, crime and damage to public infrastructure in the rail environment, amongst others, effectively to economic sabotage.
Former PRASA employee gets 12 years imprisonment for stealing cables worth an estimated R1 million. PRASA has strengthened internal investigations into the stealing of rail infrastructure and the net is closing in on corrupt and criminal behaviour affecting train services https://t.co/Uim39kuaMB pic.twitter.com/vAX5bpZ4zc
— Department of Transport (@Dotransport) June 1, 2022
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