2 women copper smugglers arrested

TWO women have been arrested after they were intercepted at the Plumtree Border Post while trying to smuggle a combined 828 kilogrammes of copper valued at $9 340 into Botswana.

Stella Kadange (34) of Harare was found in possession of 730 kilogrammes of copper while Kudzai Mususu of Chivhu was found with 58 kilogrammes.

They were each convicted on their own plea of guilty to dealing in copper without a licence when they appeared separately before Plumtree magistrate Mr Taurai Manwere last week. Kadange was ordered to pay a $300 fine or sentenced to three months imprisonment in case of default. Mususu was ordered to pay a $100 fine or be sentenced to 30 days imprisonment in case of default.

Prosecuting, Mr Charles Nyatsine said the two women were intercepted at the Plumtree Border Post on 1 August at about 8am.

“On 1 August around 8am, Kadange was found with 730kg of scrap copper valued at $8 760 which she wanted to sell in Botswana while Mususu was found with 58kg worth $580. They were each asked to produce a licence to deal in copper but they failed, leading to their arrest and the copper was confiscated,” he said.

In their mitigation the two women said they wanted to sell the copper in a bid to fend for their families.

Last month six Bulawayo women were arrested after they were intercepted at the Plumtree Border Post trying to smuggle a combined 514kg of copper valued at $5 225 from the country into Botswana.

Sithokozile Ngwenya (46) was found in possession of 120kg of copper, Grace Murimi (55) had 70kg, Nompumelelo Zulu (35), 137kg, Celesani Ndlovu (41), 58kg, Like Ndlovu (46), 51kg while Sibusisiwe Dube (50) was found in possession of 78kg. The six women were intercepted at the Plumtree Border Post on 3 July at around 10pm while travelling in a GN Zikhale Bus. They were each ordered to pay a $200 fine or sentenced to two months imprisonment in case of default.