“Mpumalanga Woman Sentenced for Smelting Stolen Eskom Cables into Cooking Pots”

A Mpumalanga woman, Nombango Claudia Mogiba, has been sentenced after being found guilty of converting stolen Eskom cables into cooking pots. The Calcutta Regional Court handed down the sentence on 21 November, convicting Mogiba of possession of stolen property valued at over R30,000.

Discovery and Arrest

Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi revealed that during a search-and-seizure operation earlier this year at Mogiba’s Mkhuhlu residence, a roll of suspected Eskom aluminium cables was discovered neatly covered under a black Transnet sail near the house. Additional rolls of cables were found buried in a trench beside a wall.

Eskom security confirmed the cables belonged to the utility. Upon further inspection, multiple aluminium pots—manufactured by smelting the stolen cables—were also uncovered.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

• Mogiba was arrested in January 2024 and appeared in court for the first time on 29 January.
• Following numerous court appearances, she was found guilty on 28 October 2024.
• The court sentenced her to five years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years, or a R10,000 fine.

This unusual case highlights the creative yet illegal methods used to repurpose stolen materials, with significant consequences for the offenders.