Man jailed two years for vandalism

MARONDERA – A 38-year-old man is set to serve two jails terms concurrently after he was
convicted of assault and violating the electricity act.
Bernard Luckmore Seke appeared before Magistrate Ignitius Mhene facing allegations of
assault, vandalising a ZESA transformer and stealing copper wires.
The state case against Seke presented by state attorney Charmaine Mwapangira was that on
August 19, 2022, he approached Sevenza Farm in the company of one Simba Chitawo who had
already pleaded guilty of the offense.
The two assaulted security guards at the farm who they tied up, and then went on to vandalise
a ZESA transformer and stole copper wires that were recovered by the police.
On their arrest, Chitawos clothes were stained with oil and they were also found in possession
of pliers and soiled work suits.
In proving its case, the state called in the testimony of the security guards who identified Seke
as one the men who had manhandled them. There was no police identification parade.
Seke was found guilty of assaulting two security guards. It is an offense to apprehend someone
and use force to make that person surrender property.
He was also found guilty of stealing ZESA property which causes major disruptions in hospitals,
the farm and other surrounding areas. The Electricity Act has a mandatory 10-year minimum jail
sentence for every offender.
Benard Seke was sentenced to four years imprisonment for the first count and 10 years for the
second count, both of which would be served concurrently.
In a related case, an unknown culprit tempered with and vandalised a transformer and cut the
armoured cable on Monday last week at around 9 :00 hrs.
Police confirmed that an informant who was herding cattle on the day saw the accused
tempering with the Zesa transformer, from which he is alleged to have stolen some oil. He was
also seen allegedly cutting the armoured cable which is about five metres long.
A report was made at ZRP Juru by the informant and when the police attended the scene they
discovered that the armoured cable had been dug up and cut out. Noting has been recovered
yet though investigations continue.
Provincial Police Spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachiyi is urging the public to lend a
helping hand to guard against criminals who vandalise public utilities.
He is also appealing for information that might lead to the arrest of the perpetrators.