Karakadzai Mwashairei, a 48-year-old man from Mbare recently pleaded guilty to “wilful damage, interference with or theft of telecommunication lines and apparatus”.
Mwashairei was slapped with a 10-year mandatory prison sentence. His excuse in court was that he wanted to use the pole for firewood as he thought it was no longer in use.
Mwashairei was seen by a security guard at Zesa transport premises along Lyton road cutting a pole carrying telecommunication wires. The security guard called for help and she was assisted in apprehending him and recovered a saw and two pieces of the pole.
Mwashairei was then taken to CID Minerals Flora and Fauna Unit where a Telone official identified the pole as their company’s.
The damaged pole was valued at $24 650.