The Evander Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a pipeline fuel thief with syndicate links, Bongani Mzizi, to seven years in prison.
Mzizi appeared in court on 9 June for sentencing.
Earlier he pleaded guilty to three charges: tampering with essential infrastructure, theft, and transporting dangerous and prohibited goods.
Transnet Pipelines (TPL) said it welcomed the successful conviction and sentencing of Mzizi after a long investigation.
“Following months of court proceedings and gathering of evidence, Transnet Pipelines scored another victory through the conviction and sentencing of a fuel thief on three counts,” TPL chief executive Michelle Phillips said.
Mzizi has been linked to one of the notorious fuel theft syndicates,” TPL said in a statement.
TPL added that it had recorded a decrease in fuel theft incidents in recent months, as collaborative efforts with law enforcement are achieving results with more arrests and convictions.
Phillips said the state-owned entity was determined to ensure justice prevailed against criminals.
“As we tighten the grip on these criminals targeting our fuel pipeline, we are throwing every resource at our disposal in making sure that criminals pay for this crime – we will deal with them harshly.”
TPL said it continues implementing various security measures to deal with malicious and dangerous acts of tampering with the pipeline network. It has urged the public to report suspicious activities along the Transnet pipeline to the Tip-Offs Anonymous Hotline: HOTLINE: 0800 003 056.
