THREE NABBED AFTER COP CHASE

A high-stakes police operation in Headlands recently led to the arrest of three copper cable thieves and the seizure of two vehicles, including a Toyota GD6 truck which was loaded with stolen cables.

The suspects — Tinashe Musara (31) and Tatenda Zimwenje (25) — both from Chitungwiza, and Jacob Muzungunye (33), of Dangamvura in Mutare, were caught during the raid last week.

They were offloading and loading copper cables between two vehicles in a bushy area near Yorkshire Primary School in Headlands.

Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, said a team of detectives from CID Rusape were deployed in the area following a tip-off that stolen ZESA cables were being hidden at Plot 97, Yorkshire.

“A week-long surveillance operation culminated in the dramatic arrest early in the morning on Monday.

“At around 7am, detectives observed the three suspects offloading copper cables from a black Toyota Auris, loading them into a white Toyota Hilux GD6.

“When the suspects realised they had been spotted, they attempted to escape,” said Ass Insp Chinyoka.

He added that a swift police pursuit ensued along the Harare-Mutare Highway.

The police eventually intercepted and blocked the fleeing vehicles at Home Park Business Centre, between Marondera and Macheke.

The black Toyota Auris (Reg AGC 5376), which was being driven by Muzungunye, was seized along with the white Toyota Hilux GD6.

It was carrying brass fittings and water tape off-cuts.

Musara, who was driving the Toyota Hilux (Reg AGH 4138), and Zimwenje, who was in the passenger seat, had their vehicle packed with loot, including armoured copper cables, transformer windings, geyser copper pipes, and water tape off-cuts, weighing about 1.5 tonnes.

“Both vehicles and the three suspects were taken to CID Rusape for further investigations. The vehicles, now confirmed to be registered in the names of different individuals from Harare and Mutare, respectively, have since been seized and are being held as exhibits,” he said.

Ass Insp Chinyoka said further investigations linked the trio to a separate cable theft incident that occurred on June 3, where eight metres of ZESA armoured cables were stolen from the VE section in Vengere, Rusape.

“Case files ZRP Rusape Central CR 14/06/25 and CID Rusape DR 05/06/25 were opened in relation to that crime.

“Employees from TelOne, ZESA, and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) in Rusape positively identified some of the recovered cables and components as property belonging to their organisations.

“These criminal acts are not only causing huge losses to utility companies but they are also disrupting essential services for ordinary citizens.

“We are urging members of the public to report any suspicious activity linked to cable theft.

“As police widen their investigations, more arrests may follow in the fight against the growing scourge of infrastructure vandalism,” he said.

Meanwhile, Gift Rabiwa, 23, of Mutare was arrested after he stole 50 kilogrammes of copper pipes and a chainsaw from a local security company.

Ass Insp Chinyoka said the stolen property was worth US$2,000.

“On the day in question, Rabiwa jumped over the fence of the premises and proceeded to a wooden cabin where he broke the window, gained entry and stole 50 kilogrammes of copper pipes and a chain saw. H Metro

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