The ManicaPost
Tendai Gukutikwa Weekender Correspondent
AN ODZI woman allegedly stole aluminium cables worth $23 000 from Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC). Kudakwashe Rugara (38) of Peter Village in Odzi was hauled before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Tendai Mahwe last Friday and pleaded not guilty to contravening Section 113 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, otherwise known as theft of aluminium cables.
The State had opposed bail, saying she was a flight risk considering the 10-year mandatory jail term imposed on all those convicted of the offence. However, Mr Mabwe granted her $50 bail and ordered her not to interfere with State witnesses and to keep residing at her given address. She was remanded to December 20.
Allegations were that on November 19, ZETDC loss control officer, Mr Hamadziripi Bhobho received a call from Peter villagers claiming that they had recovered aluminium cables under Rugara’s bed in her bedroom. Mr Bhobho made a report at Odzi Police Station and together with the police proceeded to Rugara’s homestead where they discovered that the recovered aluminium cables were measuring 300 metres.
“They also discovered that the cables were part of the 7 650 metres of aluminium cables that had recently been stolen from ZETDC’s camp in the same village,” said the State led by Mr Fletcher Karombe.
The stolen aluminium cables are valued at $22 950 and only cables worth $900 were recovered.
