MAKHADO (LOUIS TRICHARDT) – Two members of a syndicate who disrupted telephone communications in the Alldays area by stealing copper wire belonging to Telkom, were sentenced to 18 years in jail.

Three of their co-accused received sentences of five years each, suspended for five years from Regional Magistrate Mr Stiaan Gericke.

Copper wire to the value of more than R1,7 million was involved in four counts of theft perpetrated during January 2002 in the Alldays area.

Eight accused appeared in connection with these thefts, which caused serious disruptions in telephone services and large-scale inconvenience to residents of the area.

The court case was drawn out over a long period, as a result of several changes in the legal representation of some of the accused. A witness also died in a car accident.

Accused 1, 2 and 3, Esosa Mapayi (25), Renato Chicuava (38) and Julio Mapayi (39), who were involved in the transport arrangements for the stolen copper, received suspended sentences. Accused 4 and 5, Isaak Skhosana (35) and Judas Nkosi (41), were sentenced to 15 years on each count. They were declared as a syndicate and will each spend 18 years in jail.

Accused 6, Anthony Ziotha (29), was previously acquitted on all charges and accused 7 and 8, Samson Mabuiza and Surprise Masile (37) were also discharged, due to a lack of sufficient evidence