Vongai Masuka

Two men were convicted and sentenced at the Harare Magistrates’ Court for vandalizing TelOne infrastructure in an attempt to steal underground copper cables valued at US$6,000.

Nhopi Bwidibwidi, 26, and Tashinga Matiyenga, 21, were apprehended on July 26, 2025, after they were caught by security guards while cutting TelOne cables at Seke Flyover along Chitungwiza Road.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPA), the duo used an artist blade to cut a 3 x 3.3m section of 1200-pair copper cables, which triggered a security alarm.
The men dropped the loot and their cutting blade while fleeing from the security guards, but were subsequently arrested.

“After the chase, the offenders dropped part of the loot and were arrested, with cables worth US$2,000 and the cutting blade recovered.”
The first offender handed a 10-year jail term well the second offender received 5 years holy suspended after the court found special circumstances.” The prosecuting authority wrote.