A 42-YEAR-OLD Harare man yesterday appeared before Marondera magistrate, Ignatius Mugova, charged with illegal possession of a 1 100-metre-long electric cable valued at $6 000. Herbert Machingura denied the theft charge and was remanded in custody to today for continuation of trial.

BY Jairos Saunyama

Machingura allegedly committed the crime with his alleged accomplice, Richard Nyamadzawo, who is still at large.

According to court papers, on June 7 this year, at around 12:30am, the accused and Nyamadzawo went to AFM Inner City in Marondera and cut down 1 100m of electric copper conductors, which supply electricity to Paradise low-density suburb, using a bolt cutter.

Machingura was arrested by members of the public after he was found sleeping near a dumpsite, with his loot stashed in a sack.

He was handed over to the police, leading to the recovery of the stolen cable, which was identified as belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company.

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Courage Chakawa represented the State.