News / National
Cross-border transporter arrested over copper cables
19 Dec 2024 at 16:44hrs | Views
A South Africa-based cross-border transporter, Bongisani Ndlovu (44), was arrested on December 13 after he was found in possession of copper cables near the Gwanda Lithium Mine in the Mandihongola area.
Ndlovu, from Pumula North, appeared briefly before Gwanda regional magistrate Ms. Sithembiso Ndebele, facing a charge of cutting, damaging, or destroying apparatus for electricity transmission. He was not asked to plead to the charge.
Prosecutor Mr. Shepherd Moyo presented the case, stating that Ndlovu was intercepted in a bushy area near the mine by security officers. According to Moyo, Ndlovu, along with others still at large, was seen driving a Toyota Fortuner with South African license plates and offloading a large amount of copper cables from the vehicle. The group was reportedly burning the copper to process it when the security officers ambushed the gang. While the others fled, Ndlovu was apprehended.
The matter was reported to the police, who arrived at the scene to recover the vehicle, copper cables, and tools suspected of being used in the crime.
In court, Mr. Moyo opposed Ndlovu's bail application, citing the seriousness of the offense, which carries a mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison. He argued that the accused might flee the country, given the overwhelming evidence against him. Moyo noted that Ndlovu's vehicle and the materials used in the crime were found at the scene, linking him directly to the offense.
However, Ndlovu's defense lawyer, Mr. Nqobani Sithole, argued that his client is a law-abiding citizen with no history of fleeing the country. Sithole also stated that Ndlovu, who was involved in legitimate business, had no reason to abscond and was willing to surrender his passport to the authorities. He further claimed that Ndlovu was simply delivering goods in the Mandihongola area when the security officers accused him of stealing copper.
Ndlovu was remanded in custody, with a bail ruling expected today. The case has sparked concerns over the illegal trade of copper, which has been on the rise in Zimbabwe due to its high value on the black market.
Ndlovu, from Pumula North, appeared briefly before Gwanda regional magistrate Ms. Sithembiso Ndebele, facing a charge of cutting, damaging, or destroying apparatus for electricity transmission. He was not asked to plead to the charge.
Prosecutor Mr. Shepherd Moyo presented the case, stating that Ndlovu was intercepted in a bushy area near the mine by security officers. According to Moyo, Ndlovu, along with others still at large, was seen driving a Toyota Fortuner with South African license plates and offloading a large amount of copper cables from the vehicle. The group was reportedly burning the copper to process it when the security officers ambushed the gang. While the others fled, Ndlovu was apprehended.
In court, Mr. Moyo opposed Ndlovu's bail application, citing the seriousness of the offense, which carries a mandatory sentence of 10 years in prison. He argued that the accused might flee the country, given the overwhelming evidence against him. Moyo noted that Ndlovu's vehicle and the materials used in the crime were found at the scene, linking him directly to the offense.
However, Ndlovu's defense lawyer, Mr. Nqobani Sithole, argued that his client is a law-abiding citizen with no history of fleeing the country. Sithole also stated that Ndlovu, who was involved in legitimate business, had no reason to abscond and was willing to surrender his passport to the authorities. He further claimed that Ndlovu was simply delivering goods in the Mandihongola area when the security officers accused him of stealing copper.
Ndlovu was remanded in custody, with a bail ruling expected today. The case has sparked concerns over the illegal trade of copper, which has been on the rise in Zimbabwe due to its high value on the black market.
Source - the chonicle
