The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) has welcomed the sentencing of a Highfields man to 10 years in prison for vandalising telecommunications infrastructure, warning that offences involving damage to critical national equipment attract severe penalties under the law.
In a statement, on Sunday, the NPAZ said Wesley Muriritirwa (35) was convicted by the Harare Magistrates’ Court after he was found guilty of cutting TelOne Zimbabwe telecommunications wires at Machipisa Shopping Centre.
“The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe confirms that Wesley Muriritirwa, aged 35, of Highfields, Harare, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by the Harare Magistrates’ Court after being convicted of cutting TelOne telecommunications wires,” said the NPAZ.
The authority said the offence occurred in the early hours of 5 March 2026 when the offender targeted critical communication infrastructure.
“On the 5th of March 2026 at around 0400 hours, the offender climbed onto the roof of a shop at Machipisa Shopping Centre in Harare and cut nine TelOne drop wires measuring a total length of 15.2 metres from a pole,” the NPAZ added.
According to the prosecution, the offender was caught in the act by a security guard who was on duty at the time.
“A security guard on duty spotted the offender and shone a torch towards him. Upon realising that he had been seen, the offender jumped from the building in an attempt to escape but was apprehended shortly afterwards,” the NPAZ noted.
The authority said police recovered the stolen material and tools used in committing the offence.
“Police recovered the nine pieces of TelOne drop wires as well as a pair of scissors that the offender had used to cut the telecommunications cables,” the NPAZ said.
The NPAZ warned that vandalism of telecommunications and other public infrastructure remains a serious offence that disrupts essential services and affects the economy.
“The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe continues to urge members of the public to protect critical infrastructure. Vandalism of telecommunications equipment disrupts essential services, affects businesses and communities, and attracts severe penalties,” the authority said.
The NPAZ said the stiff sentence handed down by the court should serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders.
“This sentence sends a strong warning that the courts will not hesitate to impose custodial sentences on those who damage or tamper with critical national infrastructure,” said the NPAZ.
Cases of vandalism of copper cables, electricity lines and telecommunications equipment have been on the rise in recent years, prompting authorities to tighten laws and impose tougher sentences to safeguard critical infrastructure essential for communication, transport and economic activity.
