Scrap Metal Company Vandalizes ZETDC Infrastructure Worth US$2,013

A Bulawayo-based scrap metal company, Panellink Manufacturing Private Limited, has been taken to court for allegedly vandalizing Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) infrastructure valued at US$2,013.

The trial began yesterday, with State witnesses testifying in court. The company, represented by Providence Farai Gumbo, appeared before Western Commonage Regional Magistrate, Mrs. Sibongile Marondedze.

Prosecutor Mr. Milton Moyo told the court that the company was found in possession of 79 pieces of angle iron bars, each 1.6 meters long and engraved with ZETDC serial numbers.

“The accused used two of the galvanized angle irons by welding them to a conveyor belt steel structure under construction at the company premises,” Mr. Moyo said.

He explained that the angle irons were part of the material imported by ZETDC to construct electricity pylons, which transmit high-voltage power from the generation power plant into the national grid.

The offence was discovered on February 11 this year by a team of detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department’s Mineral Flora and Fauna Unit.

One of the detectives testified in court that the company had produced a scrap metal dealing certificate, but couldn’t provide a reasonable explanation for acquiring the angle irons.

The company claimed they had acquired the angle irons from third parties who had bought them at a ZETDC auction last year.

“We were even cleared by the police and ZETDC when we acquired them,” said Mr. Gumbo, a company representative.

The case was remanded to March 25 for the continuation of the trial. The angle irons are currently being held as exhibits at CID MFFU Bulawayo.