Vusumuzi Dube
Kimberley Chitambara, [email protected]
A 56-YEAR-OLD Bulawayo man has appeared before the courts after he was allegedly found in possession of 17 kilogrammes of copper cables valued at US$750.
Zororai Musvasviki of Old Magwegwe appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate Mr Archie Wochiunga, facing charges of illegal possession of copper cables in contravention of Section 10 of the Copper Control Act (Chapter 14:06).
He was remanded in custody to January 7 for judgment.
Prosecuting, Mr Owen Mugari said the offence occurred on December 26 at around 4.30PM at the Cold Storage Company (CSC) premises in Belmont industrial area, Bulawayo.
“Security guards manning the CSC premises were on patrol when they spotted the accused person walking within the complex carrying a white sack,” said Mr Mugari.
The guards approached Musvasviki, identified themselves and requested to search the sack.
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“Upon searching him, copper looms and rewind were recovered from the sack,” he said.
The court heard that Musvasviki was subsequently escorted to Donnington Police Station, where a report was made.
When asked to produce documentation authorising him to possess the copper cables, the accused failed to give a satisfactory explanation, leading to his arrest.
The recovered copper cables were taken to Zimpost Bulawayo for weighing, where they were found to weigh 17 kilogrammes and were valued at US$750.
Of late, there has been growing concern over rampant copper theft in Bulawayo. Under the Copper Control Act, possession of copper or copper products without a permit is a serious offence, as the Government moves to protect key economic infrastructure and discourage illegal scrap metal trade.
Copper cable theft has become a persistent problem across the country with criminals targeting factories, power installations and rail infrastructure, often causing significant service disruptions and financial losses.
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