RUSTENBURG HERALD - TLHABANE - On Monday, 14 July, the Tlhabane Regional Court sentenced 54-year-old Mozambican national John Paipai Sithole to a total of 16 years’ direct imprisonment for copper cable theft and contravention of the Immigration Act.
The sentencing, according to Sgt Ofentse Mokgadi, Rustenburg police Spokesperson, stems from an incident that occurred on 12 February 2025 at a well-known Mine in Luka Village, where Sithole was apprehended by mine security while still on the premises, in possession of stolen copper cable valued at R 31 444.
The theft caused a temporary halt in mining operations, as confirmed in court by the mine engineer.
Sithole was charged and although he pleaded not guilty, overwhelming evidence led to his conviction. He had been in custody since the date of the incident and was not granted bail. The court, guided by Prosecutor Advocate Zola Mpayipheli and based on investigations by Detective Warrant Officer Mosadiemang Matshego, handed down the following sentence: 15 years’ direct imprisonment for theft and tampering with essential infrastructure and one-year direct imprisonment for being in the country illegally. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm and will be deported to Mozambique upon completion of his sentence.
The Acting Bojanala Platinum Sub-District Commissioner, Brigadier Joel Pheto reiterated that, SAPS will continue to prioritise infrastructure-related crimes, which have serious economic and operational impacts.
