By Desire Tshuma
Bindura – Two power cable thieves have been jailed for 10 years each after they were caught digging up electricity infrastructure belonging to the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company in Bindura.
Bindura Magistrates’ Court convicted Claudius Sikelo, 27, of Section 7, Trojan Mine, and Foster Tsvekese Kamhaka, 27, of Chivaridzo 2, for unlawfully damaging and interfering with electricity infrastructure.
The court heard the pair committed the offence at about 0030 hours on June 25, 2026, at 2787 Aerodrome, behind Chipindura Primary School. They dug up a buried four-core armoured electricity cable measuring approximately six metres.
Their operation was foiled after a local resident heard suspicious digging noises behind his house. On investigating, the resident found the two men close to an electricity transformer and mobilised neighbours. The suspects were pursued as they tried to flee and were apprehended.
A hacksaw blade and a hoe were recovered at the scene and produced in court as exhibits. Damage to the infrastructure was assessed at US$420.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe commended the alert resident and community members for their role in apprehending the suspects, saying public vigilance remains critical in protecting national infrastructure.
The NPAZ warned that vandalism of electricity infrastructure not only causes financial losses but also disrupts essential services and puts members of the public at risk.
Authorities said the lengthy sentences send a strong warning to criminals targeting power infrastructure as efforts to curb cable theft and vandalism are intensified across the country.