By Staff Reporter
TWO Masvingo men were sentenced to 10 years each in prison for stealing copper cables worth US$6 000 from a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution (ZETDC) transformer.
In a statement, the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said Martin Kwambura (18) and Eventhough Munangi (18) appeared at Chiredzi Regional Court on November 9, 2024 and were sentenced on November 11, 2024 to 10 years imprisonment each effectively.
“On November 7, 2024 at night Kwambura, Munangi and Misheck Chihanga, who is still at large, hatched a plan to steal an armoured cable from the ZETDC Transformer at Chikwirira Shopping Centre, which is near Manjirenji Area, Chiredzi.
“Chikwirira Shopping Centre has a 100KV Transformer installed at the shopping centre and it supplies power to Chikwirira Shopping Centre, Chikwirira Primary School, Chikwirira Clinic and some households dotted around the Chikwirira Business Centre.”
Taking advantage of load-shedding on the day, the trio used a bolt cutter to cut and steal 100 meters X 35square millimetre armoured cable connecting the transformer and a localised electricity distributing line and went away.
The matter came to light the following morning and was reported to the Police.
“Police and ZETDC Chiredzi Loss Control Officials with the assistance of members of the public, followed a spoor of foot prints which led to Kwambura’s place of residence. Kwambura was interviewed and implicated Munangi and Chihanga as his accomplices.”
“Kwambura led the police to Munangi’s place of residence leading to his arrest. They proceeded to Chihanga’s place of residence but could not locate him. Searches were made in his house and a burnt 100 meters x 35 square millimetre armoured cable was recovered. Total value of the stolen cables is US$2 000 and cables worth US$ 633 were recovered,” reads part of the statement.
Police have commended members of the public for working hand-in-hand with the police in supplying information which led to the arrest of criminals and recovery of various properties.
“Community policing is very essential and has seen many communities fighting crime in conjunction with law enforcement agents.”
New Ziana
