A man from Bulawayo was sentenced to 10 years in prison after stealing copper cables belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) in Lochview suburb.
Taona Maparara (32) was in the company of Tatenda Nyandoro and Marufu Marufu, (both already serving 10-year jail terms) when they stole 13 kilogrammes of copper cables valued at $160.
Maparara appeared before Bulawayo magistrate, Joseph Mabeza charged with cutting, damaging, destroying and interfering with apparatus for the generation, transmission and distribution and supply of electricity. He pleaded not guilty.
The crime was committed on April 3 this year at around 1 AM, when residents experienced a sudden power cut in Lochview.
The prosecutor, Thobekani Mthombeni, said a resident and his son drove into the night to investigate the cause behind the power outage when they encountered the trio.
The saw a Honda Fit they suspected that criminals were using. After pursuing the car, the duo, having alerted other residents, apprehended Marufu while Maparara and Nyandoro escaped. The duo was eventually arrested and dragged to court.
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