A man accused of tampering with vital Eskom infrastructure has been convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison.
The man was one of two people arrested in February 2022 for allegedly stealing copper rods and installing copper wires at the Matra substation near Curiel.
The pair initially attempted to evade arrest by fleeing the scene, but the South African Police Service (SAPS) successfully apprehended them with the help of drone surveillance.
Both were released on bail, but the convicted suspect remained in custody from the date of arrest until sentencing. The other suspect jumped bail and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
“I commend the internal security investigation and the South African Police Service detective team for their tireless work in arresting the perpetrators,” said Eskom's acting general manager for security, Nomsa Spaumaa. “This is one of many successes to come. We will deal with all perpetrators without fear or favouritism and will ensure that all face the full force of the law.”
Copper theft remains a serious threat to national infrastructure, particularly as high metal prices continue to encourage criminals in South Africa and around the world.
Eskom continues to urge the public to report any information about electricity-related crimes to the Eskom Crime Line.
We live in a world where fact and fiction become blurred.
Who we trust has a huge impact on our lives. Join the thousands of passionate South Africans who trust News24 to bring you the news they can trust every day. As we celebrate our 25th anniversary, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to continue to inform, inspire and empower.