Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
TWO of the three suspects accused of stealing scrap metal and electric motors worth nearly US$3,9 million from Hwange Power Station were yesterday granted bail by a Hwange magistrate.
Tawanda Mhaka, a Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) employee, and his co-accused Ruth Chiyani, appeared in court charged with contravening Section 113(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23), which defines theft.
Their alleged accomplice, Hardlife Zimwenje, is still at large. The duo, who allegedly acted in common purpose to unlawfully remove 15 high and low-voltage electric motors, 48 tonnes of brass pipes and a metal container all valued at US$3 896 000, were granted bail on strict conditions by Provincial Magistrate, Miss Fungai Dzimiri.
Each was ordered to pay US$500 to the Clerk of Court in Hwange, to continue residing at their given addresses; 279 Chibondo, Hwange, and 28B Ingagula Township, Hwange and to report three times a week between 6am and 6pm at Hwange Police Station.
They were also ordered not to tamper with evidence or interfere with witnesses.
Prosecutors Jamesina Erica Makanza and Chido Tshuma had opposed bail, arguing the two were flight risks given the gravity of the offence and possible conviction. The accused were represented by lawyers Givemore Muvhiringi and Tymon
Tabana of Muvhiringi and Associates.
The State alleges the matter stemmed from a ZPC auction held on July 31, 2025, where Zimwenje successfully bid for various scrap lots such as mild steel, mill liners and used oil.
The auctioneer had made it clear that no copper was to leave the premises and collections were only to be made after full payment, with a deadline of August 4.
However, CCTV footage later revealed that on August 22 and 23, a truck was clandestinely loaded with brass pipes and electric motors from the turbine hall.
The footage showed the brass pipes being stacked until the motors were concealed. Investigations revealed that Mhaka instructed another man, Jacob Mkuwa, to cut into one of the motors and break open a storage container holding the brass pipes.
The trio allegedly hired haulage trucks through Zimwenje to ferry the stolen property off-site, with Chiyani, a loss control officer, allegedly allowing the truck to leave without invoices authorising the movement.
When questioned, she failed to provide a satisfactory explanation.
Investigations led to the arrest of Mhaka and Chiyani, while Zimwenje remains on the run. The stolen property included 15 electric motors among them two 3.3kv, 800kw Marathon mill motors, two 3.3kv, 800kw GEC motors, two 3.3kv, 650kw GECFD fan motors, one 280kw Wolong ash slurry pump motor, four 250kw GECFD fan motors, two 3.3kv, 435kw GECFD fan motors, one 3.3kv, 250kw mill motor, and one 11kv, 3 600kw Ansaldo BFP motor, in addition to 48 tonnes of brass pipes and a metal storage container.
The total value was pegged at US$3 896 000.
The matter is set to be heard tomorrow.
