Online Reporter
Moreblessing Ncube
TWO suspected copper cable thieves who thought they had pulled off a smooth operation were left stunned when police pounced and recovered stolen loot worth over US$1 500.
The suspects, Khumbulani Gumbo and Nicholas Moyo, were arrested in Bulawayo at the Kelvin Industrial Road after being caught red-handed with a satchel stuffed with copper cables.
The pair has since been linked to a larger cable theft operation that left some areas in the city and surrounding suburbs without power for weeks.
Police sources revealed that the two men were acting suspiciously and were intercepted by a patrol unit. Upon searching the satchel, officers discovered a significant quantity of copper cables believed to have been stolen. The suspects were immediately taken in for questioning.
During interrogation, Gumbo and Moyo reportedly crumbled and led police officers to the exact location where they had committed the theft, a bushy area near the Marvel substation in Emhlangeni.
“The pair explained how they dug up the cables using a pick and shovel, which they had hidden nearby.
The tools used in the operation were also recovered at the scene and will be used as evidence in court. The recovered copper cables were taken to the police station, and investigations are still ongoing to establish if the duo is linked to other similar cases that have plagued the city.
This wave of copper thefts has caused major inconvenience, especially in high-density suburbs where power outages can last up to three weeks. Armoured copper cables are often targeted for their resale value on the black market, with syndicates operating in both urban and remote areas.
Police have since issued a stern warning to copper thieves, vowing to tighten surveillance around electricity infrastructure and calling on the public to report any suspicious activity near power lines or substations.
“Acts of sabotage such as this affect thousands of innocent citizens. We will not rest until everyone involved is brought to book,” said one investigating officer.
Meanwhile, residents have applauded the police for a swift response and are hoping for a speedy trial that will send a strong message to other would-be cable thieves.
