adminMercy Ngwebvu
A DANGAMVURA man will spend the next 18 months in prison after he was convicted of assisting his friend to carry stolen copper cables in Fern Valley.
Appearing before Mutare magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi, Francis Binda (32), pleaded guilty to have contravened Section 60 of the Electricity Act. State Prosecutor, Mr Brian Goto told the court that in February, Binda who deals in copper cables was contacted by John Katerera who had cables which he wanted him to buy.
“Katerere told Binda that the cables were in Fern Valley. Unknown to Binda, Katerere had already cut off the copper cables from Farm 9 in the area and hidden them in a bush. The duo then went to Fern Valley at around 9pm to collect the cables.
“When they got there, they decided to burn the cables for easy folding and carried them towards the Mutare-Masvingo Highway. They, however, ran out of luck when they were spotted by a member of the Neighbourhood Watch Committee, Lisani Neharakoma who went closer to them to investigate what was going on,” said Mr Goto.
Neharakoma arrested the two and was led to Katerere’s place of residence where a rope, pair of pliers and hacksaw used in committing the offence were recovered.
The copper cables stolen weighed 50kg. Mr Mukwengi sentenced Binda to 24 months imprisonment because he was just an accomplice.
Six months were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence in the next five years. Katerere was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment last month.
Online Reporter