Five people have been detained by Kadoma police on suspicion of being involved in the Sunday morning copper cable theft at Ngwarati Mine, Turf, Kadoma. Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, a spokesman for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), confirmed the arrests in a statement on Monday.
On April 14, 2024, at around 10:30 a.m., the suspects—identified as Donald Magaya (23), Onismo Magaya (26), Takudzwa Mango (25), Rabson Mandini (23), and Innocent Chafera (38)—were taken into custody in relation to the heist.
The suspects were travelling in two white Toyota GD6 cars when Kadoma police, acting on information received, stopped them near the Ngezi Services Garage in Turf, Kadoma. Kupakwashe Mutizira, an accomplice, escaped after spotting the officers. That being said, during a police check, 2,572 kg of copper wires valued at US$48,360 were found. As a result, the four individuals who had been caught were placed under arrest.
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Innocent Chafera was arrested after being questioned by the four suspects and accused as their accomplice, while he was hiding in an abandoned mine pit. Now, the ZRP is requesting information that can result in the capture of Kupakwashe Mutizira, the fugitive suspect.
In a another incident, Francis Chikopa (45), a foreign national, is being sought by the police in relation to the reported theft of copper late last month. For an event that happened between March 30, 2024, and March 31, 2024, Chikopa is wanted.
Chikopa was operating a white Howo Sinotruk that was transporting 36 tonnes of copper from Zambia to Mozambique, according to Asst Comm Nyathi. He left the truck at the Macheke Business Centre in Macheke after offloading the copper at an unannounced location. Ngwarati Mine
