The ManicaPost
Abel Zhakata Senior Reporter —
THREE Nyanga men who stole TelOne transmission poles and later sold the loot to welders in the resort village were last week sentenced to 10 years behind bars. One of their alleged accomplices walked out a free man after the court failed to prove a case against him.
Kudzai Mashingauta (22), Godwin Nyamugafata (26) and Shakemore Magoneko (33) were convicted by Nyanga provincial magistrate, Mr Ignatio Mhene of contravening Section 89 (4) (b) of the Postal Telecommunications Act, Chapter 12:05 which criminalises willful damage to or interference or theft of telecommunications lines or apparatus.
Simbarashe Magoneko (20) who was jointly charged with his brother, Shakemore was acquitted. The court did not find any special circumstances to the commission of the crimes and, thus, Mr Mhene slapped the convicts with the mandatory 10 years sentence.
Public prosecutor, Mrs Anesu Tsikwa, told the court that Mashingauta and Nyamugafata teamed up to steal the poles in 2015 at Muzoro area. They stole 21 poles all valued at $630.
“The complainant in this case is TelOne represented by Mr Israel Sahwenje, a loss control officer.
“Sometime in 2015, the two accused persons connived to cut off TelOne telephone steel poles.
“They used a hacksaw to commit the crime.
“They cut off 15 poles and later sold them to Caleb Mugadza.
“Detectives received a tip-off about the case and arrested the suspects.
“Upon being interviewed, the two confessed to have stolen the poles which were later recovered at Mugadza’s residence at House Number 1259, Nyamhuka 1, Nyanga. The value of the stolen property is $450,” she said.
Shakemore stole the poles this year. Mrs Tsikwa said he used a hacksaw to cut six poles from Muzoro area.
“He sold the loot to Tendai Mutoriti, a welder at Tombo Business Centre and the value of the stolen property is $180.
“The stolen poles were later recovered by detectives after information leaked which linked him to the commission of the crime,” she said.
