A Johannesburg man, 49-year-old Chrispen Chikwera, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after he was caught tampering with City Power infrastructure in Greenside.
The Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court handed down the sentence this week after a swift investigation and prosecution by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
Early-morning arrest
According to NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane, the incident took place in the early hours of 24 July 2024. Around 1am, a Beagle Watch security officer responded to an alarm at a residential property in Greenside.
When the officer arrived, he found bolt cutters and other tools under a tree near a City Power pole. Electrical cables were already loosened, and metal clamps had been removed.
A quick search led the officer to Chikwera hiding in a nearby tree. He was detained on the spot, and Parkview SAPS officers arrived shortly after to make the arrest and collect the tools as evidence.
Court rejects his plea
In court, Chikwera pleaded not guilty to tampering with essential infrastructure. His defense applied for a discharge under Section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, arguing that the State had failed to prove its case.
The magistrate disagreed, ruling that the State had presented sufficient evidence to proceed.
State pushes for a strong sentence
Prosecutor Adolphus Mukwevho called for the maximum penalty permitted for a first-time offender, stressing the serious impact of infrastructure crimes on power reliability and community safety.
The court found no mitigating factors and imposed the mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years imprisonment.
Community vigilance pays off
Mjonondwane praised the quick actions of the Beagle Watch security officer and local residents.
“This conviction shows the importance of vigilance in protecting public infrastructure,” she said.
The NPA also commended the security company for helping prevent further damage to City Power’s network.
Growing threat to Johannesburg’s power grid
Johannesburg continues to face a surge in cable theft and vandalism, costing the city millions and leading to regular power cuts and service delays.
Authorities hope the 15-year jail term serves as a deterrent to others targeting the city’s essential infrastructure.
