adminFOUR men who were recently arrested for allegedly stealing 450 metres of copper wire from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) in Zvishavane, have implicated a ZESA official whom they accused of masterminding the theft.
The four suspects, Brighton Mabweazara (35), Gorge Mawata (26), Cain Mandyokwa (40) and Simbarashe Jonasi (30), all from Zvishavane town, have implicated Mr Wellington Zhou who works for ZETDC Zvishavane as part of the syndicate.
The quartet made the stunning revelations when they appeared before Zvishavane magistrate, Mr Story Rushambwa, facing theft charges.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were remanded in custody to Thursday.
The four are represented by Mr Herbert Tafa of Tafa and Associates Legal Practitioners.
For the State, Ms Shellah Mupindu alleged that on 28 October this year the suspects stole 450 metres of copper weighing 524kg near Nill Township close to Shabane Mine in Zvishavane.
Ms Mupindu alleged that the accused person chopped down one of the poles supporting the copper cables after switching off electricity from the main transmitter.
The court heard that the gang allegedly cut 450 metres of copper wire which weighed about 524 kilogrammes.
Ms Mupindu said luck ran out for the suspects when police got a tip-off from members of the public, leading to investigations.
She alleged that one of the detectives, Detective Assistant Inspector Booker Mutare masqueraded as a buyer for the stolen copper cables and arranged to meet the suspects at Nill Township at 12.30am.
Ms Mupindu told the court that the four accused persons arrived at Nill Township at around 11pm where the alleged transaction was supposed to take place.
The suspects called Det Asst Insp Mutare so that he would come and collect the stolen cables.
The court heard that the detective came and told the gang that his boss would send the money through EcoCash but he would have to weigh the cables first before the payment.
Ms Mupindu said as the four accused persons were attempting to weigh the wire, Det Asst Insp Mutare gave a signal to his team which emerged from nearby bushes where they had waylaid the suspects.
The four were immediately arrested.
Online Reporter