Judgment reserved in cables case

Thupeyo Muleya Beitbridge Bureau
Judgment in a case where two men are accused of stealing copper cables worth US$10 000 belonging to the Zesa Holdings has been set for October 3. The cables were allegedly stolen some 40km along the Beitbridge-Masvingo highway.
Beitbridge magistrate Mr Innocent Bepura reserved judgment in the matter after conducting an inspection-in-loco at the crime scene yesterday.

The procedure which involves indications by both the accused persons and investigating officers was conducted at the request of the defence led by Mr Patrick Tererai of Tererai Legal Practice.

The two suspects – Gilbert Moyo (43) and Asifa Sibanda both of Makhakavhule area under Chief Stauze who were arrested a few weeks ago while loading the loot on the scene – are denying the charges of contravening a section of the Electricity Act and one of the Postal and Telecommunications Act respectively.

They were both remanded in custody. The State led by Mr Foster Abheki and Mr Tererai (defence counsel) are expected to file their submissions with Mr Bepura on September 26.

It is the State case that on July 7, the duo went to Mapai area along with two others who are still at large (James Sibanda and Paul Moyo) aboard a Nissan sedan registration numbers ABR4736 at around 8pm where they cut 80kg of underground cables belonging to Zesa.
They went on to cut them into pieces and stashed them into a tyre disguised as a spare wheel.
It is also alleged that on July 18 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.

The State further alleges that earlier that day the group had cut 350kg of copper cables (worth US$7 000) at Matshiloni area, 40km along the Beitbridge-Masvingo road which they loaded in the same vehicle.

The offence came to light when there was an unusual blackout in the area prompting the detectives to team up with officials from Zesa to investigate.

They found Moyo and Sibanda on the scene. The copper cables were recovered.
The court also heard that further investigations revealed that the registration plates affixed on the Nissan vehicle belonged to a Toyota Hiace panel van owned by one Witness Vureya of 181 Dulibadzimu suburb in the border town.
The other two suspects James and Paul escaped when their associates were arrested.