The Sunday News
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
A BULAWAYO man has been jailed 20 years for stealing 4 950 metres of copper cables valued at $15 468 while his three accomplices are still at large.
Alywn Ngoma (31) of Pumula North pleaded not guilty to charges of destroying copper cables when he appeared before Gwanda regional magistrate, Mr Mark Dzira last week but was convicted due to overwhelming evidence.
He was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment and four years were suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within the next five years.
Ngoma will serve an effective 16-year jail sentence.
Prosecuting, Mr Mncedisi Dube said Ngoma and his three accomplices stole the copper cables on 3 August.
“On 3 August, Ngoma and his accomplices hired a Honda Fit vehicle to transport them from Bulawayo to Gwanda. The driver of the vehicle dropped them off at Vumbachikwe area around 9pm where there was a power line.
“Ngoma and his accomplices then instructed the driver to head back to Gwanda town and wait for their call so that he would come back and collect them. They remained behind and cut off $4 950 metres of copper cables,” he said.
Mr Dube said Ngoma and his accomplices instructed the driver to collect them and their loot.
He said while they were waiting a ZETDC electrician arrived at the scene in the company of police officers to inspect the power line after receiving a report of power disruptions in the area.
He said the accomplices fled from the scene, leaving Ngoma behind, resulting in his arrest. Mr Dube said Ngoma led the police officers to where they had hidden the stolen copper cables. Mr Dube said the copper cables were valued at $15 468.
In his defence Ngoma said his friends asked him to accompany them to Gwanda for a piece job at a mine.
He said he was not aware that they wanted to steal copper cables.
“My friends had planned all this and I was not aware that they wanted to steal copper. When we left Bulawayo they said we were going to perform a piece job.
“When we got to a bushy area in Gwanda they told me to wait by the roadside and look out for vehicles that were coming but I didn’t know what was going on.
“They later summoned me and I found them rolling copper cables that they had cut off. When I questioned their actions they threatened to kill me if I didn’t assist them and that’s when I assisted them,” he said.
Meanwhile, in another case, a security guard based at the Grain Marketing Board depot in Gwanda was arrested for stealing grocery items valued at $236 from his workplace.
Thembelani Ncube (21) of Phakama suburb was convicted on his own plea of guilty to theft by Gwanda magistrate, Miss Nomagugu Ncube last week.
He was ordered to pay an $80 fine or sentenced to one month imprisonment in case of default.
In addition he was sentenced to two months imprisonment which was wholly suspended on condition he does not commit a similar offence within the next three years.
