Agreement Mkhari 
On 30 September 2024, the Thabazimbi Regional Court sentenced five men, aged 18-60, to substantial prison terms for violating the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, theft of essential infrastructure, trespassing, and contravening the Immigration Act.
On 1 May 2021, police received a tip about suspects carrying heavy items in Northam. Upon investigation, Matthew Simango (18), Thomas Seshange (60), Ernest Manual (22), Noa Josia Simango (18), and Albert Sibanda (25) were found with 200 rolls of copper cables valued at R294,000.
Constable Wisani Khanye investigated the case. The court sentenced the accused:
-Count 1: 30 years (Criminal Matters Amendment Act)
– Count 2: 15 years direct imprisonment (Theft of essential infrastructure)
– Count 3: 2 years imprisonment (Trespassing)
– Count 4: 2 years imprisonment (Contravention of Immigration Act)
Sentences for counts 2-4 will run concurrently with count 1, per Section 280(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act.
