Cable Thief Convicted

Munyaradzi Mashiri- Court Correspondent

A 29-year-old man, Tinashe Mundenda, has been convicted after being found in possession of stolen TelOne telecommunication cables and is now awaiting sentencing.

Mundenda, who is unemployed and has no fixed abode, appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court after he was caught red-handed with TelOne cables and a bolt cutter, suggesting an intent to vandalize or steal more property.

According to the State, the incident occurred on September 4, 2025, around 7 a.m. The accused was spotted by an alert citizen, 41-year-old Tafadzwa Waile, who noticed him roaming suspiciously while carrying a small travel bag.

When approached, Mundenda attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended. A search of his bag uncovered copper cables suspected to belong to TelOne, along with a bolt cutter.

Waile was later joined by another witness, Marshal Nyeke, and the matter was reported to the police. A subsequent inspection confirmed the recovered items as TelOne cables, including four meters of drop wire, two meters of 50-pair underground dip tail cable, and jumper wires used in telecommunications infrastructure.

Mundenda pleaded guilty to the offence and was convicted. He is expected to return to court on September 9 for sentencing.