admin
Beitbridge Bureau
THE trial of two men accused of stealing copper cables worth US$10 000 belonging to Zesa and Tel-One on the 80km stretch along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway has been postponed to August 26. Gilbert Moyo (43) and Asifa Sibanda all of Makhakavhule area under Chief Stauze were arrested a few weeks ago while busy loading the loot on the scene.
They are facing two charges of contravening the Electricity Act and Postal and Telecommunications Act.
The police are still pursuing the other suspects James Sibanda and Paul Moyo who allegedly fled from the scene.
Beitbridge resident magistrate Miss Gloria Takundwa remanded the pair to the trial date in custody.
Prosecutor Mr Foster Abheki told the court that on July 7, the four went to Mapai area aboard a Nissan sedan registration numbers ABR4736 at around 8 pm where they cut 80 kg of underground cables belonging to Zesa and went away.
They then cut the wires into smaller pieces and stashed them into a tyre disguised as a spare wheel. It is alleged that on July 18 July a team of police detectives and officers from Zesa recovered the cables which had been hidden in Moyo’s bedroom.
The cables were valued at US$1 600. Mr Abheki said earlier that day the group had cut down 350kg of copper cables (worth US$7 000) at Matshiloni area which is 40 km along the Beitbridge Masvingo road which they loaded in the same vehicle. He said the offence came to light when the area experienced an unusual blackout prompting the detectives to team up with officials from Zesa to investigate.
They found Moyo and Sibanda at the scene. Further investigations allegedly revealed that the registration plates affixed to the Nissan vehicle belonged to a Toyota Haice panel van owned by one Witness Vureya of 181 Dulibadzimu suburb in the border town.
He said in the process the four also cut off several copper cables belonging to Tel-one.
The other two suspects James Sibanda and Paul Moyo fled after getting wind of their colleagues’ arrest.
Online Reporter