By Obakeng Maje

Upington-Police Organised Crime Unit in the Northern Cape succeeded in securing a sentence for three copper theft criminals. The three suspects are Linda James Malope(31),Nkopadi Moses Tladi(24) and 38-year-old Calitos Marcos Paulino (from Mozambique). 

“The three suspects were subsequently arrested on 15 November 2011 in possession of stolen copper wire” lieutenant Donald Mdhluli said. 

This comes after Police stopped a vehicle at Tellyriepan Road in the Kalahari area. 

The vehicle was searched together with its occupants. “During the search, Police managed to recover a copper wire of about 13.9 kilometres to the estimated value of about R39 000” Mdhluli said. 

The three were arrested and pleaded guilty. 

They were sentenced yesterday at Upington Regional Court to 18 months imprisonment or pay R10 000 fine plus further 18 months imprisonment suspended for 3 years with conditions to each. “The SAPS would like to appreciate its members for the job well-done and also send a message to criminals that criminal activities will not be tolerated in this country. Anyone that is found to be on the other side of the law will face the full might of the law” said police.

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