40-year-old jailed 10 years for stealing NRZ poles

Zim Now Writer

A 40-year-old man from Riverdale Farm in Blanket was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Rusape magistrate for contravening the Railways Act.

The accused person together with Never Kasasa, a man only identified as Ba Rudo and Forward Isaac Marambanyika, who are still at large, stole National Railways of Zimbabwe signal poles along the railway line that links Headlands and Bardley.

The National Prosecuting Authority alleges that the accused persons left the poles hidden in a bush along the railway line.

“A patrol officer on duty traced spoor down after noticing that the poles had been cut and spotted the treasure hidden in a nearby bush.

“He informed his superior who reported the matter to the police.

“The informant and another NRZ employee were joined by police officers and set up an ambush at the crime scene. On the 6th of August, 2023 at around 0400 hours the accused persons arrived at the scene driving a five-tonne truck.

“Never Kasasa, who was driving, parked the vehicle and switched the lights off. The other suspects loaded the signal poles into the truck. They ran away after the informant fired shots into the air and also hit the tyres of the vehicle.

“The police recovered the vehicle and searched it. They found a wallet containing Never Kasasa’s particulars and satchel which contained two hacksaws, hacksaw blades together with some clothes and shoes,” the NPA said.

Farai Moyo was arrested the following day.

The NRZ was prejudiced of property worth US$2 300.