Copper theft ring bust

Timoth Makohliso Midlands Reporter
POLICE in Zvishavane on Wednesday arrested a four-member copper wire theft syndicate which stole more than 500kg of copper wire from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.

ZETDC Southern region has lost 13 tonnes of copper cables valued at about $270,000 to thieves since the beginning of the year, according to a company official.

The four suspects, Brighton Mabweazara, 35, Gorge Mawata, 26, Cain Mandyokwa, 40, and Simbarashe Jonasi, 30, all from Zvishavane Town, were arrested on Wednesday at around 3AM.

Police, acting on a tip-off from members of the public, ambushed the four and caught them red handed.

Detective Assistant Inspector Booker Mutare of the Criminal Investigations Department said on Tuesday this week they received a tip off that there were some illicit dealings involving copper wire at Nill Township, just behind Shabane Mine.

“We got a tip off from one of our informers to the effect that there were people planning to steal some electrical cables. I then masqueraded as a buyer and made arrangements with the four suspects that we meet at the spot around 12.30AM and do our transaction. I then sent my team at 11PM to mount an ambush around the area,” said Det Asst Insp Mutare.

He said the gang arrived and chopped one of the poles after switching off electricity before cutting electrical cables which were about 450 metres.

“They came early and cut down one of the poles. While they were doing this they kept in contact with us. They then informed me that they were done. I went to them and told them my boss wants us to weigh the copper wires first before he could send their money via EcoCash. That is when I called my squad and we arrested them,” he said.

Det Insp Mutare said the arrest of the four was the 10th such case involving electricity cables to be recorded in Zvishavane this year.

Areas that were affected and left without electricity as a result of the copper wire theft include Murowa Diamond, part of Zvishavane town and Chegato High School.

ZETDC Network Area Manager for Gweru District, Engineer Cousins Manase, said they have lost 13,525 tonnes of copper through such activities.

“We have lost over 13 tonnes of copper from January this year to date as a result of such activities. The wires have a value of $270,000. We are therefore appealing to members of the public to assist us bring the culprits to book. The theft of copper cables has serious effects on our day to day lives,” said Manase.