Police in Bulawayo have made a major breakthrough after arresting three suspects linked to a syndicate that has been stealing electricity copper cables and vandalising transformers in the city and surrounding areas.
The suspects who were arrested on separate occasions between April 8 and April 12 have been identified as Takudzwa Mateza from Glenview, Decent Dambadza from Musasa and Parkson Makamelo from Epworth in Harare.
In a recent incident that occurred on March 30, the suspects are believed to have stolen copper cables worth US$56 000.
“Police in Bulawayo would like to inform our members of the public that three members of a gang which is notoriously known for vandalizing Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) cables and transformers have been arrested,” said Bulawayo Police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube.
“In the first instance through the participation of residents and general members of the public, the gang was spotted hiding near a ZESA transformer along Montrose road, Richmond in Bulawayo and when residents approached the gang they ran away. During the process, one Takudzwa Mateza aged 26 years of Glenview, Harare was arrested.”
He said a search was conducted and a 14-inch bolt cutter, a vice grip and 10 spanners of different sizes together with a 25m nylon rope was recovered in his bag.
Inspector Ncube said the suspect was handed over to the CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit which carried out further investigations leading to the arrest of the two other suspects.
“CID made other follow-ups leading to the arrest of Descent Dambadza from Musasa Harare and Parkson Makamelo also from Epworth in Harare. They were arrested parked outside OK shops in Kwekwe. A Toyota Hilux D4D silver in colour which they were using to commit the crimes was also recovered,” he said.
Inspector Ncube applauded the public for assisting with information that led to the arrests.
