4 copper wire suspects in court

Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
THE four-member copper wire theft syndicate from Zvishavane which allegedly stole 450 metres of the wire from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) was yesterday arraigned before the courts.

Brighton Mabweazara, 35, Gorge Mawata, 26, Cain Mandyokwa, 40, and Simbarashe Jonasi, 30, all from Zvishavane Town, appeared before local magistrate, Story Rushambwa, to answer to charges of theft.

They pleaded not guilty to the allegations and were remanded in custody to November 11 for continuation of trial.

Prosecuting Shellah Mupindu told the court that on October 28 this year police in Zvishavane received a tip-off from members of the public to the effect that there were some illegal copper wire dealings which were about to take place at Nill Township just behind Shabane Mine.

She said acting on the tip off, Detective Assistant Inspector Booker Mutare of the Criminal Investigations Department dispatched his team to the scene.

The state alleged that Det Asst Insp Mutare masqueraded as a buyer and communicated with the four suspects on the time and place of meeting for the transaction.

Mupindu said Det Asst Insp Mutare and the suspects agreed that they would meet at 12.30AM.

She said the police detective’s team was already on the ground.

Mupindu said the four accused persons arrived at around 11PM and chopped one of the poles after switching off electricity.

The court heard that the gang allegedly cut 450 metres of copper wire which weighed about 524 kilogrammes.

It is alleged that when the gang had finished cutting the wire, they then called their “buyer,” Det Asst Insp Mutare, so that they could conclude the deal.

The court heard that the detective came and told the gang that his boss would send the money via EcoCash only after they weighed the stuff.

Mupindu said as the four syndicate members were attempting to weigh the wire, Det Asst Insp Mutare gave a signal to his team which then emerged from its hiding place and pounced on the gang.

All four were arrested.