10-year jail term for man caught vandalising ZETDC power cable

 

A Harare man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after he was caught cutting a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company armoured copper cable along Marlvin Road in Waterfalls.

Phillip Zhozaya (33) was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for damaging and interfering with critical electrical infrastructure.

The court heard that on January 30, 2026, Zhozaya targeted essential power supply equipment along Marlvin Road in Waterfalls, Harare.

Armed with a hacksaw and a knife, he cut and damaged a 185mm four-core armoured copper cable belonging to ZETDC.

His actions were interrupted by a vigilant motorist who witnessed the offence while driving along the road. The motorist alerted nearby residents, who assisted in apprehending Zhozaya before handing him over to officers from ZRP Waterfalls.

The damaged cable was valued at US$500.

The court sentenced Zhozaya to an effective 10-year prison term, citing the seriousness of vandalism involving critical public infrastructure.