Katutura:A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment for stealing copper wire, as ruled by Magistrate Immanuel Udjombala at the Katutura Magistrate's Court.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Chivan Afrikaner, a first-time offender, had requested a suspended six-month sentence, while the State suggested a fine of N$5,000 or six months' imprisonment. Magistrate Udjombala highlighted the seriousness of copper theft, citing the resale market and its impact on property owners and society. He noted that copper wires are particularly targeted due to their resale value and that there is a market for stolen copper, incentivizing such crimes.

The court heard that Afrikaner was unemployed, had completed Grade 9, and survived by selling items at a scrapyard. He mentioned that he cared for his mother and younger siblings and argued for leniency based on his youth, unemployment, limited education, and family responsibilities. However, Udjombala stated that these factors did not exempt him from the consequences of his actions.

The magistrate emphasized the broader implications of copper cable theft, which can disrupt electricity, telecommunications, and essential services. He argued that the prevalence of such offenses justified deterrent sentences. The court concluded that a fine or suspended sentence would not adequately reflect the offense's seriousness nor have a strong deterrent effect.

Udjombala remarked that rehabilitation starts with personal responsibility and that poverty and family difficulties do not permit criminal behavior. He noted Afrikaner's potential for rehabilitation and encouraged him to pursue education and lawful employment. The sentence aimed to balance punishment, deterrence, and rehabilitation while considering Afrikaner's future.