HARARE, Jun 9, 2026 (NewsDay Live) - A 55-year-old Harare man has been sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for stealing copper cables belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said James Dzane of Kuwadzana Extension was arrested at a security checkpoint along the Harare-Mt Darwin Road.
“During a search of the bus, the police recovered a green canvas travelling bag from the luggage compartment. The bus conductor identified the offender as the person who had loaded the bag onto the bus.
“Upon being questioned, the offender claimed ownership of the bag which contained 21 copper bars, 24 copper clamps, 7 pieces of copper conductors, 1 weighing scale, 1 pair of gloves, 1 spanner, 1 bolt cutter, 1 torch and Various bolts and nuts,” said NPAZ.
The recovered copper weighed 20 kilogrammes.
The theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure have risen over the last few years despite the harsh jail sentences imposed by the courts.
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