News / Local
Zimbabweans jailed 50 years for railway line theft
04 Jun 2024 at 07:51hrs | Views
Four Zimbabwean men, Nelson Chama (31), Artwell Chakaraya (31), Blessing Matongo (35), and Ophius Marindire (32), have been sentenced to 49 years each by the Thabazimbi Regional Court in South Africa.
They were convicted of stealing parts of a railway line and rail communication equipment valued at R200,000 in 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the court's decision.
Their sentences include 30 years for tampering with and destroying essential infrastructure, 15 years for theft of ferrous or non-ferrous metals, and 2 years for illegal entry into South Africa.
The crime occurred on May 10, 2023, when the men cut off a section of the TransNet Railway line near Dwaalboom. They were arrested later that day in possession of stolen copper cables.
They were convicted of stealing parts of a railway line and rail communication equipment valued at R200,000 in 2023.
The Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service in Limpopo, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, praised the court's decision.
Their sentences include 30 years for tampering with and destroying essential infrastructure, 15 years for theft of ferrous or non-ferrous metals, and 2 years for illegal entry into South Africa.
The crime occurred on May 10, 2023, when the men cut off a section of the TransNet Railway line near Dwaalboom. They were arrested later that day in possession of stolen copper cables.
Source - newsday
