This De Aar Regional Court handed the 28-year-old Keanan Minaar 15 years for copper theft and 15 years for unlawful tampering with, damage to, and destroying of essential infrastructure. The sentences will run concurrently. 

The provincial police spokesperson, Sergio Kock, says the 28-year-old was caught red-handed with stolen Telkom copper that he stole from Transnet premises in De Aar. This was after the community had alerted police of copper theft in progress. She says that after he was caught by the police, Minaar dropped the cables and fled. He was chased and arrested on the scene. Kock explains that the value of the stolen copper amounted to R2 500. The damage caused to essential infrastructure, however, costs more than R100 000.

According to Kock, the police opposed bail and the accused remained in custody until his sentencing on 22 September 2022. She adds that the Acting District Commander for Pixley ka Seme District, Nomana Adonis, commended the De Aar police for their thorough investigations and also applauded the community for their assistance.

ALSO READ: NC municipality haunted by continuous cable theft

OFM News previously reported on the continuous cable theft and vandalism of infrastructure that continue to haunt Northern Cape municipalities. The Sol Plaatje municipality had called on the legal system to provide harsher punishments for the deliberate destruction of infrastructure.

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