Residents nab copper cable thieves

POLICE in Bulawayo have hailed the Cowdray Park residents patrol team for intercepting and apprehending two men who attempted to steal copper cables on Saturday.

The suspects, Lesley Ndlovu (24) and Evans Magonda (25) were found hiding behind a precast wall near the crime scene.

Provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube yesterday confirmed the arrest of the duo leading to the discovery of a 20-metre copper cable.

“On March 1, the informant along with other Cowdray Park residents were on patrol around the Hawk Flight area and came across 2X4 metres of armoured electric copper cables, and approximately 3X4 metres of electric overhead copper cables connecting the transformer to the main line cut, and left on the ground," Ncube said.

“The informant and his patrol team conducted some checks around the area and intercepted the duo hiding behind a precast wall at a house near the scene. The patrol team pursued the suspects, apprehended and [handed] them to the police.”

Ncube said investigations indicated that the suspects had dug and cut the cables using a bolt cutter.

“Police would like to extend its appreciation to members of the public for supplying crucial information and embracing the neighbourhood watch committee initiative that has seen communities coming up and actively participating in the fight against copper cable theft,” said Ncube.

Meanwhile, police have arrested two Bulawayo men Mayibongwe Ncube (24) and Denzel Joseph Jinjika (23) in connection with three cases of motor vehicle theft in the city centre.

Ncube said the suspects opened the motor vehicles using unknown objects.

In one of the cases, the suspects duped a 13-year-old girl into handing them car keys after pretending that they had been sent by her father before stealing the vehicle.

“A tip off from members of the public led to the arrest of Mayibongwe and he admitted to have committed the offences in the company of Jinjika upon his arrest,” Ncube said.