News / National
Trio in soup for stealing city council property
31 May 2025 at 13:51hrs | Views
Three men appeared before Mutare Magistrates Court charged with multiple counts of theft and unlawful entry involving property belonging to Mutare City Council.
Tinashe Makonese, 22, together with two juveniles aged 17, all from Mutare, were accused of stealing a standard heavy-duty sewer main hole cover, 11 lengths of 3-meter by 16mm copper cables, and a Nissan Caravan gear between April 1 and 3, 2025.
The suspects appeared before Magistrate Tendai Mahwe and the case was remanded to June 10, 2025.
According to court documents, the trio was apprehended by a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) security guard who spotted one suspect carrying a sack containing copper cables along with pliers.
They face charges under Section 60A(3)(B) of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19), which criminalizes cutting and damaging any apparatus supplying electricity, and Section 131 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act (Chapter 9:23) relating to unlawful entry into premises.
Prosecutor Sharon Mlambo told the court that on April 1, the accused unlawfully and intentionally stole the heavy-duty sewer cover, fully aware it belonged to Mutare City Council.
On the following day, the suspects allegedly entered the council premises through an opening and stole a Nissan Caravan gear.
Mrs. Mlambo further explained that on April 3, at Mutare City Council's Yeovil Pillar Box, the three individuals cut and stole 11 lengths of copper cables, interfering with the electricity supply to the Yeovil street lights.
The suspects were reportedly seen near the NRZ premises on April 4 carrying a sack into a bush. The alert security guard's intervention led to their arrest and immediate notification of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Following interrogation, the trio directed police to the crime scenes, resulting in the recovery of the stolen property.
The case remains under investigation as the accused await their next court appearance.
Tinashe Makonese, 22, together with two juveniles aged 17, all from Mutare, were accused of stealing a standard heavy-duty sewer main hole cover, 11 lengths of 3-meter by 16mm copper cables, and a Nissan Caravan gear between April 1 and 3, 2025.
The suspects appeared before Magistrate Tendai Mahwe and the case was remanded to June 10, 2025.
According to court documents, the trio was apprehended by a National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) security guard who spotted one suspect carrying a sack containing copper cables along with pliers.
They face charges under Section 60A(3)(B) of the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19), which criminalizes cutting and damaging any apparatus supplying electricity, and Section 131 of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act (Chapter 9:23) relating to unlawful entry into premises.
On the following day, the suspects allegedly entered the council premises through an opening and stole a Nissan Caravan gear.
Mrs. Mlambo further explained that on April 3, at Mutare City Council's Yeovil Pillar Box, the three individuals cut and stole 11 lengths of copper cables, interfering with the electricity supply to the Yeovil street lights.
The suspects were reportedly seen near the NRZ premises on April 4 carrying a sack into a bush. The alert security guard's intervention led to their arrest and immediate notification of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID).
Following interrogation, the trio directed police to the crime scenes, resulting in the recovery of the stolen property.
The case remains under investigation as the accused await their next court appearance.
Source - Manica Post
