Chronicle Editor
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
A 22-year-old Beitbridge man has been jailed for an effective 10 years for conniving with an accomplice to steal electricity cables worth $48 694 at Nottingham Estate some 40 km south-west of Beitbridge town.
Perfect Moyo of House Number 1987 Dulivhadzimu, was convicted on his own plea of guilty to contravening a section of the Electricity Act when he appeared before Beitbridge Regional Magistrate, Mr Innocent Bepura on Saturday.
His accomplice, Godknows Ncube (20) of no fixed abode who denied the charges will be in court today. Prosecuting, Mr Ronald Mugwagwa said between September 13 and 14, Moyo and Ncube went to Nottingham Estate and stole cables belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
He said during the act, the two accused person were spotted by security guards at the estate. They ran away upon noticing the guards, leaving the cables, weighing 1 860kilograms, behind.
The matter was then reported to the police.
Last Friday, the two went back to Nottingham Estate where they were intercepted by security guards.
Moyo was carrying a satchel with a 14-inch bolt cutter, side cutter, screw driver, and pick head. Ncube had a satchel with a side cutter, pliers, a hack saw and a spare hacksaw blade.
The ZETDC was notified and sent a loss control officer who was able to positively identify the recovered cables as part of those belonging to his employer.
The total value of the cables is $48 694.
Meanwhile, the police officer commanding Beitbridge district, Chief Superintendent Tichaona Nyongo, said they were not relenting in the quest to put an end to the theft and vandalism of key infrastructure.
Online Reporter