SIXTY-SIX-YEAR-OLD Nhlanhla Ndebele has been granted bail by Bulawayo regional magistrate Mark Dzira on a charge of unlawful possession of copper cables.
Ndebele is being accused of contravening the Electricity Act. He failed to give a satisfactory explanation for possessing 32kg of copper cables used in electricity transmission.
He was released on US$200 bail on condition that he surrenders his passport. His trial is set to commence on March 27.
The court heard that on March 10, detectives from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Bulawayo were on patrol in Old Luveve where they saw Ndebele, who was seated in a white Toyota Hilux with a South African number plate near his home.
After identifying themselves, the detectives requested to search the vehicle and Ndebele consented.
During the search, they discovered compartments beneath both sides of the vehicle’s load box.
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Detectives recovered copper cables cut into small pieces from the compartments.
Ndebele failed to produce a licence or permit authorising him to possess the copper, leading to his arrest.
The copper cables, the vehicle, and his Zimbabwean passport were seized by the police. His driving permit was also taken away.
On March 11, the copper was weighed at Zimpost Bulawayo.
It was taken to the Zimbabwe School of Mines for analysis and an official report was issued.