Two Harare Men Sentenced for Attempted TelOne Cable Theft

Rutendo Mazhindu – ZimNow Reporter

Two men have been sentenced by the Harare Magistrates’ Court for attempting to steal underground copper cables belonging to TelOne, valued at US$6 000.

The court heard that Nhopi Bwidibwidi ,26, and Tashinga Matiyenga ,21, committed the offence on July 26 at Seke Flyover along Chitungwiza Road, where TelOne was conducting underground repairs.

The duo used an artist’s blade to cut three 3.3-metre, 1,200-pair copper cables before being spotted by security guards, who raised the alarm. 

During the ensuing chase, the suspects dropped part of the stolen cables and were subsequently arrested. Authorities recovered cables worth US$2,000 along with the cutting blade.

In passing sentence, the court jailed Bwidibwidi for 10 years, while Matiyenga received a five-year sentence, which was wholly suspended after the court considered special circumstances.