Patient arrested for stealing copper pipes at hospital

Police in Mbare have arrested a 40-year-old patient for allegedly stealing copper pipes and fittings at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital in Harare.

The suspect, Taona Dzimbo, who had been admitted with a fractured leg, was reportedly caught on October 5 damaging hospital examination lights and removing internal copper components.

According to national police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi, officers recovered 45 pieces of copper pipe, each about 20 centimetres long, as well as an aluminium pipe, from the suspect's hospital locker.

Dzimbo is currently under police guard while receiving medical treatment.