Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
A 26-year-old unemployed man from Don Bosco Empumalanga suburb in Hwange, will spend the next 10 years in jail after being convicted of vandalising electricity infrastructure belonging to a local logistics company.
Shelton Nyoni, was on Friday, convicted by Provincial Magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Kabasa-Bonzo for contravening Section 60A (3)(b) of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19), which criminalises cutting, damaging, destroying, or interfering with electricity transmission or distribution apparatus.
The court heard that on 5 June 2025, at about 3am, Nyoni was caught red-handed digging and cutting a 25-square millimetre four-core armoured copper cable that supplied power from a transformer to the Inductoserve Logistics workshop in Hwange.
According to the State, represented by prosecutor Miss Pride Mharadza, Nyoni attempted to flee the scene but was apprehended by a local resident, Pardon Matutu. A security guard, Alic Sibanda was called to handcuff him before the police were notified.
Police investigations led to the recovery of 1 x 217-centimetre four-core armoured cable, 2 x single-core armoured copper cables, along with vandalism tools including a pick, a pair of black-handled pliers and a jungle knife. The items were seized and booked.
A subsequent inspection confirmed that the recovered cables were copper and weighed 4.5 kilogrammes in total. An electrician’s expert affidavit and a certificate of weight were produced in court to support the State’s case.
The court heard that the vandalism caused losses estimated at US$1 200 (ZWG 36 000) to Inductoserve Logistics, with none of the damaged property being recovered for use.
In her ruling, Kabasa condemned Nyoni for sabotaging critical electricity infrastructure, noting that such crimes negatively impact businesses and communities.
“The courts have a duty to protect key installations from acts of sabotage. This sentence must send a clear message that such criminal behaviour will not be tolerated,” she said before sentencing Nyoni to 10 years imprisonment.
Vandalism of electricity infrastructure has been on the rise in the country, prompting authorities to warn offenders that they face heavy penalties under the Electricity Act.
derick.khumalo