daniel chigunwe
Crime Reporter
Five copper cable thieves, including one woman, have been arrested and jailed for between 20 and 50 years.
The five are Phillip Chitava (43), Steven Nyakabau (31), Partson Gurupira (28), Clayton Nyakatonje (24) and Mary Ngono (33) of Chinzanga in Motoko.
Criminal Investigations Department spokesperson, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said the five were found in possession of copper windings and cables without the requisite licenses.
“From May 2024 to January 2025, the accused persons connived to steal copper windings from transformers and network boosters in and around Mutoko,” she said.
“The accused persons tripped the transformers and stole copper windings. They were also targeting network boosters and telephone cables.
“Due to the prevalence of vandalism in Mutoko, police detectives conducted an operation which resulted in the arrest of the five accused persons. The five were charged with eleven counts,” she said.
On January 28, Chitava appeared at Kotwa Magistrates Court where he was convicted and sentenced to an effective 20 years imprisonment.
On February 4, Nyakabau, Gurupira and Nyakatonje appeared before the Kotwa Magistrates Court and were convicted and sentenced to 50 years imprisonment.
However, they will each serve an effective 30 years in prison as the other 20 years will run concurrently with the sentence.
Meanwhile, Ngono is yet to appear in court.
Online Reporter