Three arrested over theft of ZESA copper cable from farm irrigation pivot

Police in Murereka have arrested three men over the theft of 105 metres of ZESA copper cable from Pondoro Farm, also known as Romsey Farm, in Lion’s Den on 8 October.

Jonathan Banda (26), Kudakwashe Madzora (32) and Mondreck Banda (20) allegedly cut the cable from an irrigation pivot and burnt off the plastic insulation to get at the copper.

Police tracked the trio down and arrested them at Angwa Bridge, recovering the stolen cable and a hacksaw allegedly used in the theft.

In a separate case, the Mbare Magistrates’ Court last week convicted Fungai Craig Mangwiro (35) of Highfield of stealing TelOne cables and jailed him for 10 years.

The court heard that at around 6.30pm on 24 September 2026, a community security guard patrolling Boyd Road in Southerton spotted Mangwiro carrying a white sack. Suspecting foul play, the guard enlisted the help of mourners gathered at a nearby funeral. Together they apprehended him and searched the sack, which held 500 metres of TelOne drop wire.

Mangwiro and the cables were handed over to Southerton Police Station, where he was charged. A TelOne official later identified the cables as company property worth US$500.