By Ntombi Mhlongo
The Belfast Regional Court has sentenced three Eswatini nationals to 15 years in prison for damaging essential infrastructure and Contravention of the Immigration Act.
According to a press statement issued by the South African National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Thembinkosi Robert Zwane (25), Saneliso Lucky Shabalala, and Musa Twice Mabuza (34) unlawfully and intentionally cut and stole 67 meters of contact wire, from a Transnet base at Wonderfontein.
Zwane was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for damaging essential infrastructure and 18 months for the Contravention of Immigration Act. Shabalala and Mabuza were each sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for damaging essential infrastructure and 12 months for the Contravention of Immigration Act. They pleaded guilty to the charges.
A fourth suspect, Sandile Mabuza (30) pleaded not guilty to the crimes and the case against him was postponed to December 5, 2022, in the same court. Addressing the court for a suitable sentence prosecutor Makhosonke Mashinini, told the court
that these offences are prevalent and serious and hurt the ailing economy.
