Three men sentenced for stealing 503kg of Transnet copper cables

Three men have been sentenced for stealing copper cables from a Transnet railway line in De Aar, Northern Cape.

The men were arrested in October 2025 after police received information that they were stealing cables from the railway line in the Richmond Farms area.

Police launched an operation and arrested Luvuyo Cawe (37), Retselisetsoe Makhonofane (35) and Mphofe Mokete (39).

They were found with approximately 503kg of copper cables, a vehicle and equipment used to tamper with essential infrastructure.

The three remained in custody while the case proceeded through the courts.

They recently appeared before the De Aar Regional Court, where they were convicted following a trial.

Cawe was sentenced to three years' direct imprisonment. Makhonofane received six months' imprisonment, while Mokete was sentenced to three months.

All three were also declared unfit to possess firearms.

Northern Cape police commissioner Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola welcomed the convictions and sentences.

She praised the investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Shawn Moses, for his work in ensuring that those responsible were brought to justice.

The South African Police Service said the theft and vandalism of essential infrastructure disrupts service delivery, damages the economy and affects communities.

Police have urged members of the public to report suspicious activities involving the theft or vandalism of essential infrastructure to their nearest police station.