BRAKPAN, SOUTH AFRICA — A 42-year-old Lesotho national, Khothatso Adora, has been sentenced to nine years in prison after being caught in the act of stealing copper cables belonging to the City of Ekurhuleni.
Adora was arrested in March 2023 while digging up essential infrastructure in Brakpan. Though he pleaded not guilty to charges of tampering with and theft of critical infrastructure, he was convicted on both counts. He also admitted to a third charge of illegal immigration.
Authorities emphasized that cable theft remains one of the most damaging crimes in South Africa, with key infrastructure entities such as Eskom, Telkom, Transnet, mines, and municipalities often being the primary targets.
According to the SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the economic damage from cable theft is estimated at between R5 billion and R7 billion per year.
The City of Ekurhuleni welcomed the sentencing, calling it a powerful deterrent to others.
“This sentence sends a stern warning to would-be cable thieves that the laws of the land will deal harshly with anyone who tampers with or steals critical infrastructure,” said a city spokesperson.
The city highlighted the broader impact of copper theft, including frequent power outages, disruptions to services, and public safety concerns.
The public is encouraged to cooperate with authorities and report any suspicious activity to help combat the vandalism of critical infrastructure.
This case adds to a growing list of harsh penalties for cable theft. In a notable 2021 case, the Cape Town High Court sentenced five men to a combined 1,250 years in prison for stealing copper cables belonging to Eskom and Telkom between 2016 and 2018.
