Man jailed 10 years for stealing cables worth US$40

The conviction has been welcomed by the National Prosecuting Authority, which described the matter as a severe violation of trust and a grave crime against a vulnerable child.

Zvikomborero Parafini

A Harare man collapsed in court on Tuesday after being sentenced to 10 years in prison for stealing telecommunication cables worth US$40.

The convict, Tinashe Mundenda, pleaded guilty to vandalising telecommunication infrastructure, an offence that carries a mandatory 10-year jail term.

Moments after magistrate Letwin Rwodzi handed down the sentence, Mundenda complained of dizziness and fell to the ground.

Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services officers quickly administered first aid before he was escorted out of the courtroom.

The State, represented by prosecutor Loveit Muringwa, proved that on September 4 around 7am, Mundenda was spotted loitering suspiciously by informant Tafadzwa Waile while carrying a small travelling bag.

When approached, Mundenda attempted to flee but was apprehended.

A search of his bag revealed cables suspected to belong to TelOne, along with a bolt cutter.

Waile, later joined by Marshal Nyeke, alerted the police, leading to Mundenda’s arrest.

During trial, TelOne Loss Control Officer Rodger Gwenjere identified the recovered property as company material.

It included four metres of drop wire, two metres of 50-pair underground cable dip tail, and jumper wires, all valued at US$40.

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