adminThubelihle Mabhena Court Reporter
Three people were dragged to court after they allegedly tried to smuggle about 90kg of stolen copper cables tied underneath a commuter omnibus, into South Africa.Lewis Ndlovu, 24, of Mpopoma, Bekithemba Ndlovu, 31, and Daisy Lunga, 56, of Nkulumane 12, appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Sibongile Msipa facing two counts of interfering with electricity generation and failure to give satisfactory account for possession of copper.
The trio was not asked to plead.
Msipa remanded Lewis and Bekithemba in custody to December 17 while Lunga was released on $100 bail.
Prosecuting, Charles Danda told the court that between October 2 and 8 Lewis and Bekithemba in the company of Lindani Mthunzi who is still at large went to Plot number 23 B Dumpier Road, Worringham, Bulawayo where they cut and stole about 1,2 km Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) overhead copper cables.
“They took the copper cables to Mthunzi’s house at Pumula South,” said Danda.
On October 9, a report was made at Hillside Police Station about the theft and it was referred to Bulawayo Minerals Unit for investigations.
The court heard that on November 4 at around 4PM, Lewis drove a kombi with South African registration numbers in the company of Bekithemba, Jeffrey Cheketai Dhewa, Vusumuzi Banda and Obert Ndlovu to Mthunzi’s residence.
They collected the copper cables and transported them to Lunga’s house in Nkulumane 12 for safekeeping.
The following day Lewis drove the kombi in the company of Bekithemba, Dhewa, Banda and Obert to Lunga’s house once again.
The court heard the accused persons ordered Dhewa, Banda and a Baloyi who is still at large to tie the three bundles of copper cables underneath the vehicle and the rest were put in the boot.
After that Lewis and Bekithemba then went to the city centre and collected passengers intending to go to South Africa, where they were to deliver the copper cables to Mthunzi.
“Detectives from the Border Control and Mineral Unit got a tip off about the alleged activities and made a follow up,” said Danda.
They tracked the vehicle and found it parked at Bob’s Garage along Bulawayo/ Gwanda road. The detectives searched the vehicle and arrested Bekithemba who was with six passengers.
One bundle of copper cables was recovered in the boot and three were tied to the chassis of the vehicle.
The court heard that Lewis managed to run away and investigations led to Lunga’s arrest who then implicated Bekithemba.
The copper cables were taken to Zesa.
They weighed 88,8kg and were valued at $1,110.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter