US$28 000 cables found at city home

The recovered cables belong to Zesa Holdings, the National Railways of Zimbabwe and TelOne.
The suspects were identified as Amon Muridzi (37), Anderson Chiwaya (28) of Mbare Matapi and Freddy Chitsike (21) of New Tafara.
The trio was apprehended at House Number 5252 Rukodzi Street in Glen Norah B following a Zesa Loss Control officers’ and police joint operation.
The other five suspects fled and are still at large.
According to police, some of the cables were found hidden underground while other piles were at Muridzi’s house, ready for transportation to South Africa.
Four Mazda B1800 pick-up trucks that were loaded with the cables were later taken to Glen Norah Police Station. Harare police spokesperson Inspector James Sabau confirmed the arrest, saying the suspects are in police custody and are assisting police with investigations.
Insp Sabau said the copper was ready for transportation and some had already been transported to South Africa
“We received information that there was illegal copper dealing at a house in Glen Norah on Wednesday.
“Police conducted a raid. When they arrived at the house the suspected thieves fled the scene, three were apprehended whilst the other five escaped,” he said.
He urged members of the public to co-operate with the police to combat copper cable theft before massive destruction is done.
An investigation by The Herald revealed that copper was constantly ferried to South Africa when it reached the needed five tonnes.
Lorries and buses (names supplied) from local business people ferried the copper cables across the Limpopo.
A concerned neighbour who spoke on condition of anonymity said buses and haulage trucks were always ferrying loads of copper cables at Muridzi’s place from time to time.
“We did not know that they were transporting copper cables but we were always at logger heads with them for burning their loot while extracting copper from rubber cables.
“We have been seeing many buses coming at their place and loading well packed bags and when you see them you will only suspect that its one of the ordinary cross border business,” she said.
She bemoaned the contribution of Zimbabweans in the destruction of their own country.
“Everyone should take part in safeguarding sovereignty and property, which contribute immensely to the growth of our economy and power is a critical part,” she said.
She also said that there was need for public awareness campaigns and increased media coverage.
“Government intervention and increased media coverage should be increased to avoid this loss, we only get to hear of these when thieves have been caught,” she said.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said vandalism cases were on the rise and this was putting a strain on the country’s economy.
“For starters Zimbabwe does not have copper mines thus has not licensed anyone to do trading in copper meaning this vandals are busy breaking the laws of this country and intense justice should prevail.
Mr Gwasira said copper cable theft affected the economy as production was disrupted when critical areas of the industry suddenly lose power due to destruction.
“It is saddening to note that sons and daughters of this nation are putting a strain on the local network and they cost a lot to the production of this country’s economy.
“Vandals cost a lot to the economy it could be on the agricultural sector or commercial. Right now people are experiencing shortages of water – it is because of these vandals.
“It is frightening to note that people are vandalising copper to that extent whilst everyone is fighting to move to better heights with this country,” he said.
Mr Gwasira said Zesa remained alert but its biggest challenge was that they were dealing with wider networks, which sometimes get into inaccessible places due to the increased demand of copper in the world.
Copper, he added, had a ready market in China and Malaysia among other countries.
“We appeal to members of the public to participate into combating theft of copper cables and vandalism of property.
“The indirect costs of cable theft include the loss of income, the destruction of essential services, labour cost to repair the affected networks as well as security measures,” said Mr Gwasira.
Mr Gwasira added that Zesa Holdings has lost equipment worth US$200 000 due to thefts that occurred last week only.