adminonly 40 percent were recovered, Home Affairs Co-Minister Mrs Theresa Makone has said.
Minister Makone revealed this in the House of Assembly last week while responding to a question from Bulawayo South legislator, Mr Edward Cross (MDC-T).
Mr Cross asked Minister Makone to give a comprehensive statement to the House on the theft of the cables from the railway line from Gweru to Harare, value of equipment stolen, the subsequent investigations and the progress of police inquiries to date.
“Border Control and Minerals Unit recovered a total of 395 cases of vandalism and theft of copper cables with a total quantity of 172 317 tonnes valued at US$1 451 522.
“These cases are mainly occurring in the Midlands Province, Mashonaland West and Harare along railway lines.
“A total of 68 903 tonnes of copper valued at US$422 997 representing 40 percent was recovered during the period under review,” Minister Makone said. She said 211 people were arrested and taken to court, where 100 were convicted while other cases were still pending at the courts.
“Of the 100 accused persons convicted, three of them were sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with labour and two of them were each sentenced to a total of 50 years with labour. The majority of the sentences ranged from two to five years imprisonment with labour,” she said.
Minister Makone said the sentencing trend was pleasing as it deterred would-be vandals and thieves. She, however, said the Border Control and Minerals Unit was still advocating for stiffer sentences and speedy finalisation of cases at the courts.
Minister Makone said the Border Control Unit used various strategies in its endeavour to curb vandalism and theft of National Railways of Zimbabwe property.
“They carry out joint operations with stakeholders in the arrest of offenders and make use of informer networks in the supplying of accurate information on thefts and vandalism. They also monitor known thieves and prosecute those arrested for the offences,” she said.
Minister Makone, however, said the Border Control Unit faced many challenges in their fight to curb vandalism.
“There is reluctance by members of the public in the supply of information about the commission of the offences. Lack of adequate material and human resources to cover all the railway lines at all times. Use of technology in the communication system by criminals and granting of bail to criminals before their cases are finalised,” she said.
Minister Makone called for continued awareness campaigns to the members of the public so that they can appreciate the impact of theft and vandalism of infrastructure. She also said there was need for continued liaison with courts for the swift handling of vandalism cases.
Online Reporter