A SENIOR Zimbabwe Republic Police officer and two Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) employees were arraigned before the Karoi Magistrates’ Court together with four accomplices facing two counts of vandalism of power equipment.

ZETDC artisan Victor Chirume (30), line worker Chakanyuka Chakanyuka (48), ZRP Assistant Inspector Samson Murivire (48), Lovemore Madzande (31), Michael Tatenda Antonio (28), Crisly Chimuto (34) and Shungu Navaya (34) yesterday appeared before magistrate Lesigo Ngwenya and later before magistrate Solomon Jenya on two counts of contravening section 60A(3) of the Electricity Act.

The State’s outline stated that the accused were arrested at Nyamahomba Farm near Karoi on June 29, 2020 for vandalism and theft of aluminium conductors.

The gang vandalised 11kV line, took the aluminium conductors in broad daylight and hid the loot in a bush.

Acting on a tip-off, police arranged a trap leading to their arrest.