Two Sentenced for Vandalising Rail Infrastructure in Pretoria

Two Zimbabwean nationals have been handed 10-year direct imprisonment sentences for their involvement in tampering with rail infrastructure, particularly signal copper cables in the Wonderboom area, back in 2020.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) celebrated the court’s decision as a significant victory, commending its security personnel for their role in apprehending the offenders.

The convicted individuals, Namer Ndovu (27) and Collen Singanje (28) were sentenced at the Pretoria North Magistrate’s Court. Their arrest occurred on December 21, 2020, when Prasa security guards apprehended them with eight signal copper cables at Es’kia Mphahlele Drive in Wonderboom. Subsequently, the matter was reported to the police, leading to their arrest and detention.

While the defendants pleaded not guilty in court, state prosecutor Lufuno Manena established the case against them beyond a reasonable doubt.

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To demonstrate the seriousness of the crime, John Motswaledi, a corporate security investigator at Prasa, explained that each stolen cable was valued at R3,000. The overall impact on the company exceeded R300,000 due to the costs associated with replacing and repairing the damaged infrastructure.

Prosecutor Manena stressed that damaging infrastructure adversely affects the country’s economy, citizens, and businesses. Under the circumstances, the community’s safety depends on the courts imposing a severe sentence to deter convicted individuals and potential future offenders.

Magistrate Phogotlhe Motlang concurred with the state’s position, underscoring the importance of imposing an appropriate sentence to restore trust in the justice system.

Source: 2 sentenced for tampering with rail infrastructure in Pretoria

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Picture: Unsplash / Wesley Tingey

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