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Crime Desk
The Zimbabwe Republic Police has intensified operational activities aimed at curbing criminal acts which include theft of copper cables, vandalism and tampering with electricity infrastructure. Members of the public are therefore called upon to support the Government’s economic development trajectory by reporting and giving information to the police on all criminals involved in theft of transformer oil and copper cables from National Railways of Zimbabwe, ZESA and TelOne facilities.
It is pleasing to note that since January 2019, the ZRP has been working together with relevant stakeholders leading to the arrest of 99 accused persons for contravening the Copper Control Act, Chapter 14:06, 116 accused persons have been arrested for contravening the Electricity Act, Chapter 13:19, while 64 were accounted for in terms of the Telecommunications Act, Chapter 12:05.
The ZRP commends the judiciary for the recent convictions of 58 individuals for various offences related to theft, smuggling, tampering with and destruction of infrastructure which then affect the provision of essential services to hospitals, industry and residential areas.
The 58 accused persons have been convicted and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by the courts since January 2019 for offences related to theft, vandalism and tampering with NRZ, TelOne and ZESA infrastructure. Those sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment include,
Tatenda Nyamayapenga
Lovemore Kamuzanga
Admire Mashaya
Ascot Muringayi
Gibson Marange
Robson Kamba
Jason Mbangeni
Luckson Chinhengo
Gift Chimedza
Alisto Saviere
Innocent Phiri
Theophilus Mukombe
Bonface Siziba
Tafara Kanengoni
Jairos Mutero
Blessed Meki
Jefta Mugochi
Tafadzwa Mlambo
Munyaradzi Bvuma
Tinashe Madhurure
Andrew Fadhuku
Blessed Kinini
Walter Muza
Morgan Kwaramba
Taona Kasekete
Currently, the ZRP has arrested over 20 suspects for theft of copper cables and the cases are pending before the courts.
The provision of electricity, rail transport and communication facilities is key to the social and economic development of the country. In this regard the ZRP has a constitutional mandate to protect and secure the lives and property of the people and will ensure all criminal elements who are derailing the nation’s economic revival impetus are arrested and brought to the courts to face justice.
It is disturbing to note that cases of theft of copper cables and vandalism have been recorded in Harare, Bulawayo, Chinhoyi, Gweru, Chegutu, Banket, Chipinge, Beitbridge, Esigodini and Gwanda. Farming communities have not been spared in the criminal acts.
Members of the public are commended for the cooperation rendered to the police in effecting arrests. Crime does not pay and certainly the police will leave no stone unturned in a bid to bring all criminals to book in order to safeguard the country’s key infrastructure. Members of the public with information should feel free to contact the police on WhatsApp number 0712800107, National Complaints Desk 0242-703631, Harare Operations 0242-748836 or Bulawayo Operations 09-885479. Let us join hands and ensure acts of criminality are curtailed at all costs.
Courtesy of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, General Headquarters, Harare.
Online Reporter