Online Reporter
Bokang Tlou, Court Reporter
A 19-YEAR-OLD teenager from Bulawayo has been sentenced to five years in prison after being found in possession of stolen copper cables belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
Zithelo Moyo, a resident of Entumbane suburb, was convicted by Bulawayo magistrate Mr Taurai Manuwere on Wednesday for violating a section of the Electricity Act, which prohibits the unlawful possession of copper cables.
In delivering the sentence, Mr Manuwere emphasised that copper cable theft is a serious offence that disrupts service delivery and must be met with stringent penalties to deter potential offenders.
The court was informed that on June 24, police received a tip-off indicating that Moyo was in possession of stolen copper. Acting on the information, officers raided his residence and discovered rolls of copper cable weighing 3,25kg. Moyo failed to provide a satisfactory explanation for the possession resulting in his arrest.
In an unrelated case, a 23-year-old man from Bulawayo appeared in court for allegedly attacking another man with a machete and robbing him of his mobile phone, US$130, and a pair of shoes.
Nkosilathi Dlamini, also from Entumbane suburb, appeared before Bulawayo magistrate Mr Matthew Mutiro facing charges of attempted murder. He was remanded in custody to July 22.
Prosecutor Mr Owen Mugari stated that on April 21 at approximately 6PM, the complainant, Robert Musaka (42), was walking along a pathway near Emakhandeni Primary School when he was confronted by Dlamini, who was accompanied by an accomplice still at large.
“The accused struck the complainant on the head multiple times. He then robbed him of an Itel mobile phone, US$130, and a black pair of shoes before fleeing the scene,” said Mr Mugari.
Musaka was rushed to Mpilo Central Hospital where he was admitted for three weeks. He reportedly suffered memory loss as a result of the injuries.
