Police arrest copper cable thieves

Zim Now Writer

Police in Kadoma on Saturday arrested two suspects who were found in unlawful possession of copper cables following a tip-off

This comes as power utility Zesa Holdings, TelOne and National Railways of Zimbabwe continue lobbying for stiffer penalties for people who steal copper cables and vandalise other power and communications infrastructure.

“Police in Kadoma acted on a tip-off and arrested Lee Magombe, 22, and Mushonga Archford, 26, for unlawful possession of copper cables. Police recovered 64kgs of copper cables at Lee Magombe’s homestead and 8 metres of electric cable from Mushonga Archford,” police said in a statement on their official Twitter handle.

In a related incident, police in Bulawayo arrested Peserverance Manwele, 33, in connection with theft of 20kgs of copper cables. “Investigations by the police have established that the suspect dug out the copper cables at Plot 16 Dunkik Farm, Pumula,” police said.

The theft of copper cables and other equipment has been blamed for the prolonged blackouts in some areas at a time when the country is battling an acute power crisis.