Moffat Mungazi
Solomon Bhumu
Post Reporter
A 19-YEAR-OLD Mutare teenager was convicted for breaking into the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) workshop in Mutare’s industrial area.
Pride Tapiwa Rupapa (19) appeared before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe recently, facing charges of violating the National Railways Act (Chapter 13:09) by damaging railway equipment.
Specifically, he was accused of contravening Section 38 (i) (a) (iv) of Chapter 13:09, which prohibits tampering with or cutting railway apparatus.
Prosecutor, Ms Deliwe Masibera said Rupapa broke into the NRZ workshop located in Mutare’s industrial area on April 14 around 6am with the intention of stealing railway locomotive traction cables from a stationary engine.
Later that morning, around 6.30am, Mr Casten Njiva (56), a loss control officer employed by NRZ, signed in for duty, and during his perimeter checks, spotted Rupapa cutting the cables from a stationary engine.
Upon spotting Rupapa, Mr Njiva did not confront him directly, instead he quickly called for backup from other NRZ security guards, and Mr Talent Tore joined forces with him. Together, they approached Rupapa, who was busy cutting the cables.
When Rupapa saw the security guards, he attempted to escape, but was swiftly apprehended just a few metres away.
At the time of his arrest, he was in possession of nine metres of railway locomotive traction cables, along with a bolt cutter and pair of pliers.
Rupapa was escorted to Mutare Central Police Station for further handling, and the alleged stolen cables, with a total value of US$550, were recovered at the scene.
In court, Rupapa admitted to the charges.
“I was doing this for money. I have a buyer who wanted the cables and had promised me a lot of money upon delivery. The man who hired me, known as Baba Shepard, provided the bolt cutter and pliers,” said Rupapa.
Rupapa was handed an effective five-year jail term for the offence.
Online Reporter