By Takudziridzwa Nyama
Boniface Chisaka (46) from Zvishavane was sentenced to 5 years in prison for contravening the Electricity Act. Chisaka was found guilty of unlawfully possessing ZESA copper cables, valued at USD731, without a permit. He was arraigned by Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court.
The Act states that it is illegal to “possess any material used for transmitting electricity without a permit”
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), reports that the detectives received a tip off to the effect that the accused person was burning ZESA copper cables at his place of residence.
The detectives swiftly reacted to the information and went to Chisaka’s place of residence where they found him stripping and burning the ZESA cables. The detectives introduced themselves and asked Chisaka to produce licence which authorised him to possess ZESA copper cables and he failed to do so. He was subsequently arrested.
The recovered ZESA copper cables weighed 17kg and had a value of USD731.