Ndudi Anyim
For allegedly tempering with Eskom infrastructure and stealing prepaid units amounting to R189,000, a 63-year-old man, Neliswa Mapekula, has been arraigned and sentenced to 10 years direct imprisonment.
According to the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS), Mapekula, who was arraigned at the Mount Frere Regional Court on three counts charge, committed the said crime between May 7, 2017 and June 10, 2019.
Speaking on the sentence, the Provincial Head of Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Obed Ngwenya, said the suspects stole the Eskom Prepaid units by disconnecting and making unlawful connections thus using the electricity without paying.
“ The matter was reported to the Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit of Hawks in Umtata for investigations which led to this conviction and sentencing.
“ For count 1 and 3, she was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment or to pay a fine of R20 000. On count 2, she was sentenced to pay a fine of R1500 or undergo five years imprisonment wholly suspended for two years, ” he said.
Ngwenya further applauded the tireless efforts by the team, in bringing the perpetrator to justice.