During the early hours of Thursday, 31May 2022, members of Port Nolloth SAPS received a complaint from a concerned member of the community, residing in Nollothville, Port Nolloth.
The complaint, complained about a disturbing noise near a Telkom line.
Members attached to Visible Policing, Port Nolloth immediately attended to the complaint.
The members found a stepladder and an axe near a Telkom pole, and saw a person running away.
They gave chase and apprehended a male suspect who later became known to the members as Philemon Hermanus.
The suspect was originally arrested and detained for theft of copper cables, however Constable Rogerio Esau secured an additional charge of tampering with essential infrastructure.
On Wednesday, 11 October 2023, the Port Nolloth Regional Court convicted and sentenced the 39 year old accused, Philemon Hermanus to 12 years of direct Imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure.
The Provincial Commissioner of the Northern Cape, Lieutenant General Koliswa Otola applauded Constable Rogerio Esau for his thorough and meticulous investigation that led the court imposing a harsh sentence on the accused because damage to infrastructure seriously impacts negatively on the lives of our communities.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any criminal activities to the nearest police station immediately or call the Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively information can be communicated via the MySAPS App or by sending an SMS to 32211.
All information will be treated confidentially.
Content retrieved from: https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspeechdetail.php?nid=48916.
