Five up for cable vandalism

FIVE people have been arrested in separate incidents countrywide on allegations of vandalising Zesa Holdings cables and equipment, as police declare war on criminals targeting public utilities infrastructure.

Some of the suspects have since appeared in court and were remanded in custody.

Criminal Investigations Department (CID) spokesperson Detective Assistant Inspector Rachel Muteweri confirmed the arrests.

She said Jaison Mhara (58) and Sledge Sithole (35) were recently arrested for Contravening Section 60 (A) of the Electricity Act Chapter 13:19 which prohibits the cutting and destruction of apparatus for generating, transmitting, distributing or supplying electricity in Zvishavane.

“On October 22, 2022, Detectives from Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit (MFFU), Zvishavane received information to the effect that there were suspected moving criminals driving a Toyota

Fun

Cargo motor vehicle at Pote Farm,

Zvishavane,” she said.

“The detectives reacted to the information and intercepted the vehicle at Mtonjeni along Zvishavane-Gweru Road. Searches were conducted in the vehicle leading to the recovery of copper cables stashed in the boot.

“The driver of the motor vehicle, Jaison

Mhara, failed to produce licence authorising him posa session

of the commodity, leading to his subsequent arrest.”

Mhara was interviewed and implicated his four accomplices. A follow up was made on the outstanding accused persons, resulting in the arrest Sledge Sithole. Some copper cables were also recovered from him. The copper cables have since been identified as ZESA property.

In a related incident, James Zulu (32), Urayai Mudzingwa (41) and Cosmas Phiri (42) were arrested in Zvishavane for a similar offence. This followed vandalism of two transformers and theft of copper cables by the trio at Chiraya Business Centre, Zvishavane.

James Zulu had an electric shock and suffered some injuries, while his accomplices fled from the scene leaving him unconscious.

They have since appeared at Zvishavane magistrates’ court where they were remanded in custody for trial, while Zulu was taken to Zvishavane District Hospital for treatment under police guard.

“The Zimbabwe Republic Police would like to express its profound gratitude to members of the public for their concerted efforts in the fight against crime,” said Detective Asst Insp Muteweri.

“Members of the public are warned to desist from vandalism of public utilities and infrastructure. A 10-year jail term is mandatory for vandalism of public utilities and infrastructure.”

Det Asst Insp Muteweri urged members of the public to report any such vandalism through the National Complaints Desk on 0242 703631 or any nearest police station.