Two Men Accused of Stealing ZESA Copper Cable in Belvedere

 

Two men appeared before the Harare Magistrates’ Court this week accused of stealing ZESA copper armoured cable from a roadworks site in Belvedere after police allegedly caught them with the damaged cable and a vehicle.

Hassan Mvumba, 18, and Praise Mutete, 38, appeared before magistrate Jesse Kufa facing charges of contravening the Electricity Act.

The complainant is the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.

The State alleges that the offence occurred in the early hours of August 13, 2026.

According to prosecutors, Mvumba, Mutete and an accomplice identified as Tonde, who is still at large, allegedly planned to steal ZESA copper cable.

The court heard that the three men proceeded to No. 11 Link Road in Belvedere, where the City of Harare was conducting roadworks.

They allegedly cut and removed a 13-metre length of 185mm four-core ZESA copper armoured cable that had been exposed by the ongoing works.

Police officers from ZRP Milton Park, who were patrolling the area, reportedly received information that two men and another suspect were dragging ZESA cable from the site towards a parked silver Honda Stream, registration number AET6382.

The officers responded and arrested Mvumba and Mutete at the scene, while Tonde allegedly escaped.

The court was told that police recovered the damaged cable and the silver Honda Stream.

ZETDC later identified the recovered 13-metre, 185mm four-core copper armoured cable as its property.

The State said the total value of the stolen and damaged cable was US$780.