Copper theft couple, accomplices remanded in custody

A MEMBER of the suspected copper cables syndicate that was recently found in possession of stolen cables worth US$131 000 at their rented house in Bulawayo’s Mahatshula North suburb, has been identified as a repeat offender, as he was once convicted of a similar offence in 2014.

This came to light yesterday in court when the gang appeared before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Joseph Mabeza.

Tapfumaneyi Muzarabani (48) was convicted of a similar offence in Plumtree in 2014. This time around Muzarabani is being charged together with his wife Tracy Ncube (46) and two other accomplices, namely Alan Mudjiwa (28) and Hebron Chiyangwa (27).

The gang was remanded in custody to April 2, pending a bail hearing. Ms Siphiwe Mhlanga represented the State and was opposed to the granting of bail, citing the gravity of the crime.

Ms Mhlanga argued that if granted bail, the gang was likely to abscond, as the crime has a mandatory sentence.

“The allegations faced by the accused persons have a serious effect on national development and they might interfere with State witnesses, since one of the State witnesses is their landlord. The first accused is a repeat offender who was once convicted for a similar offence in Plumtree – CRB PT674-80/14,” said Ms Mhlanga.

The gang is facing four counts of copper possession, as defined in the copper control laws. For the first count, they are being charged for possession of copper without a licence or permit. On the second count, they are facing charges of possessing material used for transmitting, distributing and supplying electricity.

For the third count, they are charged with possessing material used for the provision of railway services and on the fourth charge, they are accused of illegally possessing material used for telecommunication.

Ms Mhlanga said on March 16, detectives from CID Homicide responded to a tip-off that the gang was using the house to store copper cables.

“The detectives proceeded to the house rented by accused one and two, where they carried out surveillance monitoring movements and activities at the house. Accused one and two, who are husband and wife, arrived home from the Central Business District. The detectives then introduced themselves as police detectives and requested to search the yard and house,” she said.

Ms Mhlanga said after searching the house, police discovered an assortment of copper comprising overhead conductors, transformer copper bars, armoured cables, scrap copper from electric motor rewinds and two digital scales, which were found in two separate rooms.

Muzarabani and his wife are being represented by Ms Anna Kunda of Dube and Associates, while Mudjiwa is being represented by Miss Nonhlanhla Sibanda of Advocate SKM Sibanda and Partners. Chiyangwa is also being represented by his attorney, Mr Liberty Mucijo of Liberty Mcijo and Associates.

The syndicate was arrested last Saturday afternoon in the suburb, by a crack CID Homicide team, following a meticulous two-week surveillance operation. The gang was found in possession of copper belonging to different companies, all holding different values.

Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, has said the stolen loot included that of Zesa, NRZ and TelOne.

“We met with stakeholders from Zesa, TelOne and NRZ to ascertain the origins of the copper. We discovered that 3,42 tonnes belonged to Zesa and the stash is worth US$68 000. Also, 100kgs of the copper worth US$2 000 originated from TelOne infrastructure and 2 430kgs of the copper worth US$8 000 belongs to NRZ,” said Insp Ncube.

He said the remaining 2,6 tonnes of copper, which is made up of scrap, is worth US$52 000.

In January this year, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC, raised concern over the increasing problem of vandalism and theft of its property, with over 1 500 cases recorded in 2023.

According to the power utility, the increase in vandalism has a severe impact on the country’s power supply and costs millions of dollars in repairs and replacements.

“Vandalism has become a menace and the utility is battling to keep up with the replacement of stolen power lines and transformers. We urge all stakeholders to join forces to protect electrical infrastructure,” it said in a recent statement.

“The utility would like to reiterate its support and commitment to provide power to all essential industries of the economy.

“This is inclusive of the tourism and hospitality industry, where measures are in place to ensure that industry players always have power supply.”

Bulawayo has since paid heed to the call and several arrests of copper cable thieves have been made, to attest to the effort.