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Abel Zhakata
Senior Reporter
A SAKUBVA scrap metal dealer is in trouble with the law after he was found in possession of about 700kg of copper cables and accessories worth more than US$14 000 hidden in a room at his house.
The cables and accessories were allegedly stolen from Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority and TelOne properties.
Godfrey Manhuwa (47) of Old Chisamba is facing charges of contravening Section 10 of the Copper Control Act, Chapter 14:06, as well as contravening Section 60A 3(3b) of the Electricity Act, Chapter 13:19.
He is facing an additional charge of contravening Section 89 (4) (a) of the Postal Telecommunications Act, Chapter 12:05.
Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Luxson Chananda said Manhuwa was arrested on August 19.
“On the day in question, detective constables David Manyandure, Ezekiel Machiri and Beauty Mbwizhu from CID Minerals Fauna and Flora Unit in Mutare were on operation: ‘Stop Vandalism’ targeting copper dealers in Sakubva when they picked information that Manhuwa was a scrap metal dealer and was in possession of copper cables and accessories at his house.
“They proceeded to the house and searched it. They recovered the copper cables and material which were in various forms in the accused person’s spare bedroom packed in sacks. Manhuwa was asked to produce a licence which permits him to possess copper and he failed leading to his arrest,” he said.
Manhuwa and the recovered copper were taken to the police station.
The following day, the detectives invited loss control officers from ZETDC and TelOne who inspected the recovered copper and confirmed that it was stolen from the two entities.
The copper was taken to GMB Mutare for weighing.
ZESA underground copper cables and transformer copper windings weighed 75kg, Telone copper cables weighed 3kg and the remainder of various copper accessories weighed 662kg.
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