NATIONAL NEWS - Simeon Majaonke Shongwe (46) was sentenced to 35 years’ imprisonment by the Ermelo Regional Court for tampering with essential infrastructure and theft on Monday, reports the Highvelder News.
The court heard that on 10 November 2022, Shongwe intentionally caused damage valued at more than R22.7m at the Eskom Camden power station.
He was apprehended by authorities just five days after the incident took place.
The case was managed by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation unit based in Secunda.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented a strong case built on evidence collected from the crime scene and testimony from witnesses.
Shongwe was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure and 15 years’ imprisonment for theft.
The court ruled that both sentences would run concurrently. As a result, Shongwe is expected to serve an effective 20 years behind bars.
The provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the court’s decision.
He noted that infrastructure tampering is a national crisis that directly hinders the delivery of services to the public.
“Eskom has been plagued by sabotage, and this conviction and sentence must serve as a strong warning to those implicated in such despicable acts. We really welcome the sentence and appreciate the excellent work by the investigation team and prosecution,” said Gerber.
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