Thiès: Caught dismantling Senelec cables, a scrap metal dealer faces 6 months in prison

C. Ciss, a scrap metal dealer prosecuted for attempted theft of electrical cables from Senelec, appeared before the Thiès court for flagrant offenses. He is accused of having been caught unscrewing cables at an electrical substation located in "Allou Kagne," not far from Thiès.

In court, the defendant denied the charges against him. While he admitted to going to the location, he maintained that he did not intend to steal electrical cables, but rather bolts which he planned to resell.

C. Ciss claimed to have found the electrical substation already vandalized by other individuals. According to him, he thought the cables present were simply scrap metal. This argument will have to convince the court, especially since the defendant was already convicted in 2019 for similar offenses.

Senelec, represented by attorney Pape Sène, joined the proceedings as a civil party and denounced the seriousness of the acts of vandalism targeting electrical installations. The lawyer specifically established a link between these acts and the power outages experienced in recent days, implicating the defendant and other individuals.

Mr. Pape Sène also warned of the risk of electrocution to which the perpetrators of these acts expose themselves, which can have fatal consequences. Reminding everyone that Senelec is a national asset, he argued for severe penalties to deter anyone tempted to attack electrical installations.

As compensation for damages, the lawyer claimed the sum of 500,000 FCFA for the company.

In his closing arguments, the public prosecutor argued that C. Ciss was guilty of attempted theft and requested a six-month prison sentence for the scrap metal dealer.

The case has been adjourned for deliberation. The court will render its decision at a later date.