Online Reporter
Fairness Moyana in Hwange
THREE people, including a Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) employee, appeared in court yesterday, facing charges of stealing scrap metal and electric motors worth nearly US$3,9 million from Hwange Power Station.
Tawanda Mhaka, Ruth Chiyani, and their alleged accomplice Hardlife Zimwenje, who is still at large are being charged with contravening Section 113(1) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23), which defines theft.
The trio allegedly acted in common purpose to unlawfully remove 15 high and low voltage electric motors, 48 tonnes of brass pipes and a metal container from ZPC Hwange between July and August this year.
The property, which included large industrial mill and fan motors, was valued at US$3,896,000.
Initially appearing before Provincial Magistrate Mrs Rumbidzai Kabasa-Bonzo, the accused were represented by lawyer, Ms Joylene Change of Muvhiringi and Associates. She remanded them in custody to September 26, 2025, pending further investigations.
Prosecuting, Ms Jamesina Erica Makanza told the court that the matter stemmed from a ZPC auction held on July 31, 2025, where Zimwenje successfully bid for various scrap lots such as mild steel, mill liners and used oil.
The auctioneer had made it clear while reading out the terms and conditions of the auction that no copper was to leave the premises and collections were only to be made after full payment, with a deadline of August 4.
However, CCTV footage later revealed that on August 22 and 23, a truck was clandestinely loaded with brass pipes and electric motors from the turbine hall. The footage showed the brass pipes being stacked until the motors were concealed.
Further investigations established Mhaka’s involvement. It was revealed that Mhaka instructed another man, Jacob Mkuwa, to cut into one of the motors and break open a storage container holding the brass pipes. The trio allegedly hired haulage trucks through Zimwenje to ferry the stolen property off-site.
Chiyani, who was responsible for supervising the loading, allegedly allowed the truck to leave without invoices authorising the movement.
The court heard that no invoices had been issued to authorise the movement of the brass pipes, raising suspicion over the clandestine removal of ZPC property. When quizzed, Chiyani, a loss control officer, who was responsible for overseeing the loading process, failed to provide a satisfactory explanation as to why the truck was allowed to leave without paperwork.
Investigation led to the arrest of Chiyani and Mhaka on Saturday while Zimwenje is on the run. The stolen property included 15 high- and low-voltage electric motors, among them two 3.3kv, 800kw Marathon mill motors, two 3.3kv, 800kw GEC motors, two 3.3kv, 650kw GECFD fan motors, one 280kw Wolong ash slurry pump motor, four 250kw GECFD fan motors, two 3.3kv, 435kw GECFD fan motors, one 3.3kv, 250kw mill motor, and one 11kv, 3600kw Ansaldo BFP motor.
In addition, the court heard that 48 tonnes of brass pipes and a metal storage container were also taken. The total value of the property stolen was put at US$3 896 000.
