Police in Bulawayo have apprehended four individuals found in possession of five tonnes of copper cables in Mahatshula.
The suspects, Tracy Ncube, Tapfumaneyi Muzarabani, Alan Mudyiwa, and Hebron Chiyangwa, including a woman, are set to appear in court today, facing potential 10-year prison terms each if convicted of vandalism.
Incidents of copper cable theft have been on the rise in Bulawayo and surrounding areas, with several reports indicating a surge in such criminal activities.
In January, authorities arrested a police officer from ZRP Tshabalala and three others for allegedly stealing copper cables valued at US$6,000 from an Emakhandeni substation.
Last November, a joint effort between the Bulawayo police and community members led to the arrest of nine individuals involved in cable theft, resulting in the recovery of copper cables worth US$7,000, among other stolen items.
ALSO READ: Two Men Sentenced Two Years In jail For Robbing Canadian Tourist
In another story, Two men, Bonface Sibanda (36) and Vavarirai Mark (29), have been sentenced to two years in jail each for robbing a Canadian tourist who was camping in Mvuma.
Sibanda and Mark were apprehended after they attacked Kevin Paul Blackie in February last year, stealing a briefcase containing a laptop, US$2,000, 1,000 Canadian dollars, and ZAR1,000. Additionally, two Canadian passports were taken during the incident.
Following a police report, Bonface Sibanda and Mark were arrested, leading to the recovery of US$770, 530 Canadian dollars, and the two passports.
Both individuals were convicted and sentenced by a Mvuma Magistrate for unlawful entry. They received a 24-month imprisonment term, with six months suspended on the condition that they refrain from committing a similar offense within the next five years…read in full
