Three Zimbabwean nationals, who had been terrorising the Waterpoort farming community by stealing copper cables in the area, were sent to prison in the Louis Trichardt Magistrate's Court on Monday.

Shalton Ndou (18) was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and Clever Siphuma (30) and Justice Moyo (28) were both sentenced to three years' imprisonment, after they had been found guilty of stealing copper cables at the Vlakte Plaats Farm in October last year.

The three were arrested after they had been found in a possession of stolen copper cables. The arrest was made after farmers had joined the police in the search for the three in the area.

The value of the copper that was found in the possession of the three is estimated to be more than R22 000. Both Justice and Clever were given an option of a fine amounting to R15 000, which they failed to pay. The spokesperson for the Waterpoort police, W/O Hezekiel Lishivha, said that he was happy about the sentence of the three. He expressed the hope that the sentence would send out a strong message to criminals not to continue with their crimes.