Three nabbed for NRZ property theft

THREE men from Bulawayo have been arrested in connection with tampering and stealing equipment from the National Railways of Zimbabwe last week.

Three other suspects who were part of the gang are on the run.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest but could not divulge the names of the suspects, saying it would jeopardise investigations.

“Police in Bulawayo arrested three suspects at the Mpopoma Marshalling Yard, Bulawayo, after they were spotted by NRZ security personnel carrying five NRZ fish plates.

“Three of the suspects fled from the scene and follow-ups are being made to arrest them,” said Asst Comm Nyathi.

“The arrested will soon be arraigned before the courts and we warn members of the public that it is a serious offence to tamper with NRZ equipment.”

He added that there was a rise in theft of infrastructure belonging to parastatals, with some people being arrested and prosecuted in the courts of law while some paid the price with their lives.

Asst Comm Nyathi said this referring to a recent case that occurred in Bulawayo where two suspected copper cables thieves were killed while trying to steal Zesa copper lines in Woodville suburb.

The two were found dead, after being electrocuted in the suburb, near the 66KV line Nyamandlovu, Umguza and Turk Mine areas.

The two bodies were found metres apart with one of them being discovered with a pair of bolt cutters.

The deceased are believed to have been part of a syndicate that has been wreaking havoc in the neighbourhood.

@macindie1