Two suspected copper cable thieves have been arrested after they were found in possession of six rolls of cables worth USD$12 000.
The cables are suspected to have been in stolen in Njube, Mpopoma and Lobengula plunging sections of the suburbs into darkness.
The suspects, identified as Simon Tapfuma (32) from Magwegwe and Polite Ncube (25) from Lobengula, were arrested on January 21 at around 3 am in a bushy area in Mpopoma and impounded a commuter omnibus which was being used to transport the loot.
Ncube who suffered injuries after an electricity pole fell on him is currently admitted to Mpilo Hospital under police guard.
The police also recovered 25 rolls of copper cables weighing 55kg in Phelandaba stashed in the bush and no arrests have been made yet.
Speaking at a press conference, Monday, Bulawayo Police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube revealed cases of copper cable thefts have increased in the last two months.
“We received four cases of copper cables theft in the same areas, the first one is this one which resulted in the arrest and recovery, the second one has recovery without arrest whilst the other two are outstanding,” said Inspector Ncube.
He said through investigations they have established that the syndicates have roped in public transport operators to assist them in moving their loot.
“We are following the syndicates because copper cables are stolen in teams, one has to monitor the situation, the other one has to go up, rolling of copper cables also requires manpower and there are also transport operators/ vehicle owners who are identified and incorporated into the criminal syndicate,” said the police spokesperson.
Inspector Ncube said the police dragnet is closing in on some of the suspects who are on the run.
“We are expecting to clear a number of cases and there are of course some members of the syndicate that are on the run and we are making such follow-ups, we want to thank the members of the public in Bulawayo for working closely and well with Zimbabwe Republic Police as we are now seeing the results that we are getting from this active participation of the members of the public and swift reaction by our police officers that are also promising to keep our Bulawayo lit,” he said.
