CHIREDZI – Three members of the Johanne Masowe eChishanu church recently appeared before regional magistrate Judith Zuyu facing charges of stealing 174kg of copper cables belonging to TelOne.
Solomon Chapungu (37), Parirenyatwa Chikati (43) and Kudakwashe Munyisi (37) pleaded not guilty to contravening the Postal and Telecommunications Act and were remanded in custody.
The State led by Edmore Mbavaira alleged that on August 07, the trio worked in connivance to steal copper wire belonging to TelOne.
The State argues that the trio went to a bush near South Eastern College in Chiredzi and stole TelOne Zimbabwe Area Distribution cables which weighed 174kg and valued at US$2 000.
Represented by Emmanuel Chibudu of Kwirira and Magwaliba Legal Practitioners, Chapungu and Chikati denied the charges arguing that they got the cables from Mozambique.
“The two had copper wire in their possession which they had purchased in Mozambique. On acquiring the copper, it had no insulation on them or marked to signal possession of any known company in the country,” argued Chibudu.
Mushinyu’s lawyer, Georgina Ndava, also argued that his client was not part of the saga as he was just a mere taxi driver who ferried the accused persons.
“My client is employed as a taxi driver and on the day in question, he was hired to transport the other accused persons’ goods from Gutu to Chiredzi. He anticipated no danger in traveling with the two as he knew them from church,” argued Ndava.court
