Ugu District Municipality’s security team collaborates with Ezinqoleni SAPS to secure a 15-year prison sentence for Fezile Bho Zama, who vandalised critical water supply infrastructure, disrupting essential services for local communities.
Durban — The Ugu District Municipality’s security team and Ezinqoleni SAPS have been praised for securing a 15-year prison sentence imposed on a resident who sabotaged critical water supply infrastructure.
Fezile Bho Zama was sentenced to 15 years in prison for housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft.
In a statement, the Ugu District Municipality said the decision follows comprehensive investigations conducted by Mr Mkhomo, Ugu District Municipality security services head, in collaboration with the Ezinqoleni SAPS.
The municipality said Zama was found guilty of vandalising the Ezinqoleni Water Pump Station, where he stole two water pumps and copper cables, thereby disrupting the water supply to local communities.
Providing background, the municipality said Zama, a resident of Ezinqoleni near the N2, was apprehended in the Murchison area and made several appearances before the Ezinqoleni Magistrate’s Court before ultimately pleading guilty to all charges on November 29, 2024. The case was subsequently postponed to December 10, 2024, when he was sentenced.
Ugu acting municipal manager Vela Mazibuko praised the Ugu security team and SAPS for their diligent efforts in capturing the suspect and delivering justice to communities frequently impacted by water supply issues due to infrastructure sabotage.
Ugu mayor councillor Sikhumbuzo Mqadi expressed support for the sentence on behalf of the Ugu council, emphasising that it should serve as a strong warning to all individuals who engage in criminal activities that undermine essential government infrastructure and deny Ugu communities their right to access water.
“Acts of sabotage or criminal activities, such as the theft of cables and batteries, significantly disrupt municipal water infrastructure, leading to adverse effects on water delivery to our communities. The damage inflicted on this infrastructure results in prolonged interruptions to the water supply, leaving communities without essential water services while efforts are made to address the issue,” Mqadi said.
He also encouraged residents to report these criminal activities, emphasising that they are perpetrated by individuals within their communities.
KwaZulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi also welcomed Zama’s sentencing.
Buthelezi stated that the sentencing sends a strong message that law enforcement agencies are up to the task of ridding communities of criminals who steal and vandalise public infrastructure.
“This decisive action sends a strong message that those who vandalise public property will face the full might of the law. Every year, hundreds of millions of rands worth of infrastructure is stolen in KZN municipalities, plunging communities into darkness and causing essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity to fail. This sabotage has a devastating impact on our communities,” Buthelezi said.
He added by commending the efforts of law enforcement agencies, including the Ugu District Municipality’s security team and the Ezinqoleni SAPS, for their role in capturing and successfully prosecuting Zama.
The MEC urged all municipalities to strengthen measures aimed at combating the scourge of public infrastructure theft and vandalism that has disrupted service delivery in many communities.
Buthelezi also encouraged residents to report any criminal activities, highlighting that these acts are often perpetrated by individuals within the community.
WhatsApp your views on this story at 071 485 7995.
Daily News