Man Sentenced for Infrastructure Vandalism
A 28-year-old man, Batsheleni Dladla, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for damaging essential infrastructure belonging to the Msukaligwa Local Municipality. The Ermelo Regional Court handed down the sentence after finding him guilty.
The incident occurred on May 28, 2023, when members of the Community Policing Forum (CPF) were patrolling Chris de Villiers Street in Sun City, Ermelo. They spotted Dladla at a mini-substation with its door open, cutting cables using a side cutter. He attempted to flee but was caught and handed over to the police.
In court, Dladla pleaded not guilty, claiming he was attempting to steal from a location 10 meters away from the substation. However, State Prosecutor Chané Rothman presented strong evidence, including eyewitness testimony and photographs of the damage.
The court rejected Dladlaâs defense and found him guilty, sentencing him to 15 years in prison.