The Free State High Court has found 26 Zimbabwean men guilty of stealing Transnet copper cables and damaging other infrastructure, worth a combined R29 million, in the province’s Xhariep district.
The men were also found guilty of tampering and involvement in informal gang-related activities, which police said indicated crime.
They were charged under the Prevention of Organised Crime (POCA) Act.
According to Sergeant Mahlomola Kareli, of the Free State SAPS, the men’s criminal activities occurred in Springfontein and Bethulie between 18 July and 6 October 2021.
The convicted criminals are:
- William Sithole (41),
- Alfred Dlamini (53),
- Giveness Simangwe (29),
- Timothy Masocha (41)
- Issa Chingowe (41)
- Maxwel Chingowe (32)
- Ernest Malati (25)
- Bongani Chabalala (33)
- Harmfree Zvevhu (31)
- Thabonashe Mlambo (29)
- Farai Dube (29)
- Louis Chivo (32)
- Munyaradzi Shava (25)
- Gibson Makumire (33)
- Ian Kudzai (36)
- Oncemore Marume (24)
- Silas Ngwenya (30)
- Shadrack Khoza (27)
- Arcido Anibal Nhangumbe (34)
- Sinethemba Deme (30)
- Obey Mashaba (29)
- Tenash Obeleng (23)
- Edmond Dube (24)
- Tafatso Masia (31)
- Thomas Mashaba (36)
- Anton Duvhawa (41)
Kareli said the men’s theft and damage to infrastructure cost Transnet, South Africa’s state-owned railway and ports company, over R29 million.
They stole copper cables worth R6.9 million and damaged R22.2 million of infrastructure.
“Through meticulous investigation led by Warrant Officers Krokkie Engelbrecht and Eliazer Mohotsi from Provincial Organised Crime Unit, working in close collaboration with Transnet and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), all 26 suspects were charged and subsequently found guilty by the Free State High Court on a range of serious charges,” Kareli said.
The sentencing proceedings for all 26 convicted criminals are scheduled to commence on 29 September 2025 and will conclude on 3 October 2025, Kareli said.
They remain in custody.
Transnet Group Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips, welcomed the court judgment, saying it marked a significant step in the fight against infrastructure crime.
“We are pleased with the conviction, as it underscores the success of our collaboration with the SAPS. Addressing theft of copper cables and tampering with essential infrastructure is important for several interconnected reasons, impacting operations, financial stability, and the South African economy,” Phillips said
“These acts expose us to significant financial risks because we lose revenue and incur replacement costs. Moreover, increased maintenance and ongoing repairs due to the acts of opportunistic criminals and syndicates contribute to higher operational expenses.”
Phillips said the convictions showed the effective collaboration between Transnet, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the ongoing fight against infrastructure crime. In September 2024, Transnet and SAPS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration in the fight against theft and vandalism of essential infrastructure across Transnet’s logistics network.
“The convictions mark a significant step in the fight against infrastructure crime, which remains one of the factors affecting Transnet’s operational performance and its ability to provide a sustainable freight logistics network. Enhancing security at Transnet’s key operations is paramount for maintaining operational efficiency, economic stability, and national security,” Phillips added.
