Online Reporter
Freeman Razemba
Senior Reporter
A 22-YEAR-OLD Harare man, who was in the habit of targeting Zesa Holdings substations and stealing copper cables, has been jailed for 10 years.
Police have since confirmed the arrest of Wise Kavhu for contravening the Electricity Act Chapter 13:19.
In a statement, the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri, confirmed the arrest.
“On July 13, 2025, Kavhu proceeded to a substation in Waterfalls and forced open the substation door to gain entry,” she said.
“He cut some copper cables and, in the process, was seen by a passerby who immediately mobilised the community to apprehend him. The accused person took to his heels, but was subsequently arrested by members of the public.”
Kavhu appeared before Magistrate Mrs Sheila Mashavira at Mbare Magistrates Court while Mr Jonathan Chikoto appeared for the State and was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Meanwhile, on July 16, 2025, detectives from Chinhoyi arrested Advance Nicholas Chadereka, aged 45 and Gift Simenti, aged 43, for possession of copper without a licence.
This followed reports that the suspects were dealing in copper illegally in the Light Industry area, Chinhoyi.
When detectives arrived at the scene, they discovered the accused persons packing burnt copper wires into a sack.
They failed to produce any paperwork authorising their possession of the copper, leading to their subsequent arrest and the recovery of copper cables weighing 100kg.
