By Takudziridzwa Nyama
As the war against vandalism and stealing of public infrastructure continues, the Zvishavane Magistrates’ Court has sentenced Tawanda Hove (30) to 10 years imprisonment for possession of NRZ cables without a license.
Circumstances surrounding Hove’s case are that the police in Zvishavane received information that an individual residing in Mukwekwe Village, Chief Wedza, was in possession of armoured cables.
Authorities proceeded to the residence, conducted a search and recovered various lengths of armoured cables hidden behind a bedroom door.
Hove failed to produce a licence authorizing him to possess the cables, leading to his arrest.
An official from NRZ Zvishavane Mr Mandla Ncube, positively identified the recovered materials as belonging to NRZ, used for the transmission, distribution and supply of electricity at the NRZ Bannockburn sub-station in Zvishavane.
The armored cables weighed 60.95 kg. The total value of the stolen cables is US$1450.
The NPAZ has used this case to, “remind the public that unlawful possession of copper cables attracts a mandatory sentence of 10 years.”