On 06 October 2021, the Ladysmith Regional Court handed out a seven-year sentence to a gang of four cable thieves for vandalising and stealing telecommunications infrastructure in Ladismith.
Four foreign nationals, Tankiso Sekutoana (32), Mohau Khene (37), Motlatsi Motaane (31), and Bakoena Elliot Maliehe (31) stole 30 rolls of Telkom copper cables weighing 378.5 kilograms with a value of more than R68 500-00 in June 2017 at Ladismith.
They destroyed the essential infrastructure by digging and pulling it out using a truck. They were immediately arrested and charged.
A one-ton truck that was used in the commission of the crime has been forfeited to the state and the fifth accused who is the owner of the truck is in custody.
He will hear his fate on 16 November 2021 whereas his co-accused each received a seven-year imprisonment sentence.
