A cable thief from Manenberg will spend the next 12 years behind bars after being found guilty of theft and damage to Prasa property in the Wynberg Regional Court last week.
Acting Manenberg Police Station commander, Colonel Sanele Zama, says Naranada Schutte, 25, was found guilty and sentenced the same day for his role in the theft of cables at Nyanga Junction last year.
He says on 5 May shortly after midnight security guards spotted Schutte and his friend climbing poles to cut the cables.
“There were two males and as they saw the security personnel moving towards them the one fled the scene, while Schutte was trapped on a pole and arrested.
“The case was assigned to Sergeant Darryl Van Noie who successfully opposed bail and presented detailed evidence before the court.
“The damages and the cables stolen were worth R70 000,” says Zama.
Schutte was found guilty on Thursday and sentenced to 12 years direct imprisonment.
Zama says Van Noie was instrumental in bringing a criminal syndicate operating in the Nyanga Cluster Precinct, headed by woman, to book.