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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
TWO Bulawayo men have each been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for stealing copper cables valued at $1 500 from the Esigodini area.
Okay Ncube (23) of Nkulumane suburb and Begin Ngwenya (26) of Cowdray Park were convicted on their own plea of guilty to destroying and removing a telecommunications line by Gwanda regional magistrate Mr Mark Dzira.
Mr Dzira slapped the two men with an effective 10-year jail sentence. In passing sentence Mr Dzira pointed out that Ncube and Ngwenya had committed a serious offence which deserved a deterrent sentence that would serve as a lesson to like minded people.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said on 6 December, Ncube and Ngwenya cut 300 metres of overhead telecommunication line in Esigodini area.
“On 6 December around 3AM Ncube and Ngwenya went to Esigodini area and removed a 300-metre telecommunication line belonging to TelOne.
“Mr Murivamwe Matezve who is employed by TelOne Esigodini heard an alarm signalling that there was a tampering along the communication line.
Mr Matezve teamed up with police officers and went to check the communication line,” he said.
Mr Dube said Mr Matezve and the police found Ncube and Ngwenya rolling the copper cables.
He said Ncube and Ngwenya fled from the scene and the police pursued them until they caught up with Ngwenya leading to his arrest.
He said Ngwenya then implicated Ncube also leading to his arrest as well.
The stolen copper was recovered.
In their mitigation Ncube said he stole the copper as he wanted to raise money to visit his rural home in Tsholotsho.
Ngwenya said his father was ill and he wanted to raise money for his medication.
@DubeMatutu
derick.khumalo