3 suspects arrested after high-speed chase

A major police operation in Headlands last week culminated in the arrest of three suspected copper cable thieves and the seizure of two vehicles, including a Toyota GD6 truck loaded with stolen cables.

The suspects, identified as Tinashe Musara (31) and Tatenda Zimwenje (25) from Chitungwiza, alongside Jacob Muzungunye (33) from Dangamvura, Mutare, were caught offloading and loading stolen copper cables between two vehicles near Yorkshire Primary School in Headlands.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, revealed that a team of detectives from CID Rusape acted on a tip-off about stolen ZESA cables hidden at Plot 97, Yorkshire. After a week-long surveillance operation, the suspects were arrested early Monday morning.

"At around 7am, detectives spotted the three suspects transferring copper cables from a black Toyota Auris to a white Toyota Hilux GD6," said Ass Insp Chinyoka. "When they realised they had been spotted, they attempted to flee, sparking a police chase along the Harare-Mutare Highway."

The police successfully intercepted the suspects at Home Park Business Centre, located between Marondera and Macheke. Both vehicles - the black Toyota Auris (Reg AGC 5376), driven by Muzungunye, and the white Toyota Hilux GD6 - were seized.

The Hilux was found loaded with approximately 1.5 tonnes of stolen items including armoured copper cables, transformer windings, geyser copper pipes, brass fittings, and water tape off-cuts.

"The suspects and vehicles were taken to CID Rusape for further investigations," added Ass Insp Chinyoka. "Our investigations linked the trio to a June 3 cable theft incident at VE section in Vengere, Rusape, where eight metres of ZESA armoured cables were stolen."

Employees from TelOne, ZESA, and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) positively identified some of the recovered materials as belonging to their organisations.

"These criminal activities not only cause huge financial losses but also disrupt essential utility services for the public," warned Ass Insp Chinyoka, urging citizens to report any suspicious activity linked to cable theft.

In a separate incident, 23-year-old Gift Rabiwa from Mutare was arrested for stealing 50 kilograms of copper pipes and a chainsaw from a local security company. The stolen property was valued at approximately US$2,000.

"Rabiwa broke into the premises by jumping over a fence and entering through a broken window of a wooden cabin," explained Ass Insp Chinyoka.

Police investigations into infrastructure vandalism and cable theft are ongoing, with the possibility of more arrests expected as the crackdown intensifies.