A Rushinga-based copper thief who was electrocuted while stealing copper cables has been jailed 20 years.

Tinashe Tatenda Ndokera was convicted when he appeared at the Bindura regional court before magistrate Amos Mbobo on two counts last Wednesday.

Prosecutor Tracy Dube said on February 7, Ndokera went to Chimhanda Hospital after he suffered serious burns when he was electrocuted while stealing copper cables.

He managed to take his loot before seeking medication at a local hospital.

But nurses reported him to the police after they got suspicious.

Ndokera told the police that he had stolen the cables twice and hid them in a disused toilet.

The cables were valued at US$95.