Eight Accused of Major Copper Cable Theft in Zimbabwe.
A group of eight men appeared in court in Bulawayo on Thursday after allegedly stealing copper cables worth $283,000 from a power station.
The suspects broke into the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company substation in Richmond on January 25, prosecutors said. They used a ladder, hacksaw, and bolt cutter to remove 60 meters of heavy-duty copper cable.
Police arrested two members of the group, Prince Ntonga and Simon Chamhudze, after finding them with 92kg of copper. Officers later discovered burnt cables in their Toyota Hilux truck.
The other suspects are Ronald Moyo, Qhubekani Nyathi, Kudakwashe Ndlovu, Eddie Mishiri Dube, Tafadzwa Ncube, and Sydney Moyo. Their ages range from 18 to 36.
A ZETDC engineer testified that the stolen cables were vital for power distribution to the Richmond area. Police recovered overhead cables, the makeshift ladder, and bolt cutters used in the theft.
Prosecutor Dominic Moyo opposed bail, citing concerns about witness interference. The court will decide on bail on Tuesday. Attorney Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers represents all eight defendants.
The case includes separate charges for unlicensed copper possession against Ntonga and Chamhudze. The group remains in custody, awaiting the bail ruling.
A group of eight men appeared in court in Bulawayo on Thursday after allegedly stealing copper cables worth $283,000 from a power station.
The suspects broke into the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company substation in Richmond on January 25, prosecutors said. They used a ladder, hacksaw, and bolt cutter to remove 60 meters of heavy-duty copper cable.
Police arrested two members of the group, Prince Ntonga and Simon Chamhudze, after finding them with 92kg of copper. Officers later discovered burnt cables in their Toyota Hilux truck.
The other suspects are Ronald Moyo, Qhubekani Nyathi, Kudakwashe Ndlovu, Eddie Mishiri Dube, Tafadzwa Ncube, and Sydney Moyo. Their ages range from 18 to 36.
A ZETDC engineer testified that the stolen cables were vital for power distribution to the Richmond area. Police recovered overhead cables, the makeshift ladder, and bolt cutters used in the theft.
Prosecutor Dominic Moyo opposed bail, citing concerns about witness interference. The court will decide on bail on Tuesday. Attorney Tinashe Runganga of Tanaka Law Chambers represents all eight defendants.
The case includes separate charges for unlicensed copper possession against Ntonga and Chamhudze. The group remains in custody, awaiting the bail ruling.
