Online Reporter
Kimberley Chitambara, Sunday News Reporter
TWO technicians contracted to install a solar system at Ingutsheni Central Hospital in Bulawayo have appeared in court for allegedly stealing solar cables worth more than US$6 000 from the project site.
Honest Munyika (40) of Bikita and Langton Gwara (42) of Masvingo — both employees of Watts and OHMS Solar Company — appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Patience Madondo facing theft charges. They were remanded in custody to 15 December pending trial.
Prosecuting, Mr Methuli Ncube said the incident occurred on 7 December at about 11pm when the accused persons went to an open space near the hospital’s main kitchen where the company’s solar installation equipment and tools were stored.
“Upon arrival, they cut six rolls of two-core by 35mm² armoured solar cables and loaded them onto a pushcart. One of them began pushing the cart while the other dragged a 120-metre roll of five-core by 25mm² armoured solar copper cable towards a nearby bushy area,” said Mr Ncube.
A security guard manning the premises noticed suspicious activity and alerted the pair’s supervisor.
“The supervisor mobilised other employees and they pursued the accused persons.
Upon realising they were being followed, Munyika and Gwara abandoned the cables and fled into the darkness,” said Mr Ncube.
Their colleagues managed to recover all the stolen property. A police report was filed, leading to the arrest of the duo.
