TWO chaps from Mutare — Clive Mupare (33) and Donald Chatora (26) — recently dug their way to a long prison stay.
The story begins on October 4, 2026 when they duo was hired for a construction gig in Chikanga 2.
They had one job to do: Dig a trench, get paid and go home.
But while digging, they struck gold — or rather, an electrical earth copper cable and, presumably high on the thrill of finding buried treasure, decided to steal it.
Not content with just one haul, they decided to also nick 12 metres of TelOne drop wires.
In all, they stole nine metres of electrical copper wire and 12 metres of telecommunications cable valued at US$250.
Split between two people, that is US$125 each — barely enough to buy a modest grocery basket or a fresh pair of sneakers.
The very next day, while strolling near TM Chikanga 2 Pick n Pay like mastermind kingpins with their loot and burglary tools, Zimbabwe Republic Police officers on patrol swooped on them.
They were quickly hauled before the Mutare Magistrates’ Court, which was not in any mood to bargain.
They each got 10 years for the copper cable and another 10 years for the TelOne wires. That is an effective 20-year sentence each.
So, if you ever feel like shortcutting your way to a quick buck, just remember the titans of terrible decision-making — Clive and Donald.
They traded 20 years of freedom, warm sunshine and home-cooked meals for 21 metres of wire they did not even get to sell.
To Clive and Donald: Enjoy the State hospitality until 2046.
As for the rest of us, leave the public infrastructure alone — unless you fancy spending two decades reflecting on a US$125 mistake.
