By OBAKENG MAJE

A man (34) was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment by the Potchefstroom Regional Court for theft on 14 February 2024. A security guard was conducting patrols around the hospital premises in the early hours of Sunday morning (7 May 2023) in Dassierand, outside Potchefstroom, when he saw an electric transformer standing open with some tools nearby.

The North West police spokesperson, Colonel Adele Myburgh said, the inquisitive security guard was still looking around when three men jumped out of the tall grass where they hid themselves. They tried to run away, but the security guard managed to arrest one of them, Tebogo Simon Molapo.

“He and his colleague summoned the police and the man, and the tools and approximately 10 metres of copper cable worth R5000 was handed over to the police.

“Upon being sentenced, four of the 12 years imprisonment, was suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of theft or its competent verdict to it committed during the period of suspension,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Police, Major General Suzette Pretorius, commended the security guards for their alertness, which resulted in the arrest. She also thanked the Investigating Officer, D/Sergeant, Magdeline Mothebe, and the Prosecutor, Adele Horn for the prompt investigation and prosecution, which ascertained that Molapo was sentenced within nine months after committing the crime.

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Picture: The copper cable allegedly stolen/Generic

By OBAKENG MAJE

Two men who were arrested for being in possession of suspected stolen goods and theft were remanded in custody until 19 February 2024. Thapelo Montwedi (27) and Johannes Toboko (36) briefly appeared at Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on 12 February 2024.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said Montwedi and Toboko were arrested at Haaskraal Farm, outside Potchefstroom on 10 February 2024. Myburgh further said, the police were allegedly on their routine patrol along Potchefstroom /Viljoenskroon road, when they noticed three men carrying backpacks at approximately 5am.

“The police stopped their vehicle to engage the trio, but one of them ran away. Upon searching the duo, the police found them in possession of copper cables. They then took the police to the farm, where they allegedly stole the copper cables.

“The farm owner who was not at the farm was called by his neighbour. Consequent to his arrival, the farm owner confirmed that the copper cable was stolen from the farm. The suspects were as a result, apprehended for theft and possession of suspected stolen copper cables,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena, applauded the police for their attentiveness which led to the arrest of the accused for theft and destruction of critical infrastructure.

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