Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
A HARARE man, who allegedly used his Mercedes Benz as part of the weapons of crime in a criminal enterprise which targeted TelOne cables worth US$239,000, has been remanded in custody.
Tedias Kadzere, 32, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare regional magistrate Marewanazvo Gofa.
He was remanded to July 2 for bail ruling.
The court heard that on May 20, Kadzere and his accomplices — Chikwengu Alias Tsaona, Jowa , Taku and one other unidentified man — proceeded to the corner of King George and Nemakonde Way (formerly Lomagundi Road) in Avondale, Harare.
They allegedly opened a TelOne manhole.
They allegedly cut a TelOne underground copper cable.
They then tied it to a Mercedes Benz, registration number AFK 4005, which Kadzere was driving and pulled it out.
The quintet then loaded the TelOne underground copper cable in the vehicle and drove away.
On May 27, according to the State, the gang drove along Sussex Road, Avondale, and opened yet another TelOne manhole.
They cut a TelOne underground copper cable and tied it to Kadzere’s vehicle and drove away.
They struck again at the corner of Norfolk and Dunkled Roads in Mount Pleasant.
Police Officers on patrol then came across Kadzere’s vehicle, which was going towards Warren Park.
They ordered the vehicle to stop but Kadzere sped off and then abandoned the car in Warren Park.
The police officers managed to recover the 257m metres of 1200 pairs of TelOne underground copper cables and the car.
Kadzere was later arrested but his accomplices are still at large.
If convicted, Kadzere faces up to ten years imprisonment because theft of telecoms equipment has a mandatory sentence of ten years.
Tambudzai Masamvi appeared for the State.
derick.khumalo