KWAZULU-NATAL – On 27 July 2022, the Estcourt Regional Court convicted and sentenced Jumbo Silombo (35) to pay a fine of R100 000 fine or four years imprisonment for stealing fuel at Mimosadale area near Estcourt in November 2020.

Silombo and his accomplices were caught by private security company tampering with Transnet pipeline. His accomplices fled the scene and Silombo disconnected the pipe before he drove off with a tanker. A chase ensued and he was spotted at the truck stop were he abandoned the tanker. He fled on foot into the nearby bushes.

Police were alerted and he was arrested. He appeared in the Estcourt Magistrate’s Court and his bail was successfully opposed until he was sentenced. Half of his sentence was suspended for three years.

Source: South African Police Service