According to Hawks spokesperson, S’fiso Nyakane, the men have multiple criminal records since 2015. Nyakane says the men stole Eskom power lines last year in Kestell and Harrismith, Free State. The matter was then reported to the Hawks’ Organised Crime Unit and the matter was registered as an investigative project. The group of men was arrested in Harrismith in November last year.

“They were caught in the act, the Hawks received a tip-off and that is when they caught the suspects. Since their arrest they were in custody and did not receive any bail,” says Nyakane.

The six men were linked to 14 other cases of copper theft.

Nyakane says the accused were sentenced as follows; Prince Mkhwanazi was sentenced to 360 years on 2 counts of racketeering, 11 counts of damage to infrastructure and 11 counts of theft. The sentence will run concurrently. He will effectively serve 23 years direct imprisonment.

Richard Mhlanga was sentenced to 105 years on 3 counts of racketeering, 3 counts of damage to infrastructure and 3 counts of theft. The sentence will run concurrently. He will effectively serve 17 years direct imprisonment.

Lucky Vilakazi was sentenced to 75 years on 2 counts of racketeering, 2 counts of damage to infrastructure and 2 counts of theft. The sentence will run concurrently and he will effectively serve 16 years direct imprisonment.

Bonginkosi Dlanjwa was sentenced to 285 years on 9 counts of racketeering, 9 counts of damage to infrastructure and 9 counts of theft. The sentence will run concurrently and he will effectively serve 19 years direct imprisonment.

Ephraim Phakathi was sentenced to 75 years on 2 counts of racketeering, 2 counts of damage to infrastructure and 2 counts of theft. The sentence will run concurrently. He will effectively serve 16 years direct imprisonment.

Bob Khoza was sentenced to 75 years on 2 counts of racketeering, 2 counts of damage to infrastructure and 2 counts of theft. The sentence will run concurrently and he will effectively serve 16 years direct imprisonment.

OFM News