Kudzai Mupasi

MIRROR REPORTER

MASVINGO– Magistrate Elizabeth Hanzie has sentenced a Masvingo man to 13 years in jail for 16 counts of theft involving property worthy over US$15 000 in seven months.

Epwarge Zuvaradoka (24), a caretaker at Ryan Mine, Mushandike committed the thefts between June 2022 and January 2023 and targeted mostly irrigation equipment, television sets, cellphones and car batteries.

Zuvaradoka did not deny the charges and one of his victims is former Government minister Dzikamai Mavhaire whom he stole solar panels from.

Prosecutor Tatenda Dzitiro told the Court that on June 9, 2022 around 5pm, Joyce Masiyandima left two solar panels at her garden and Zuvaradoka went to the garden and stole the 365 watts and 355 watts solar panels. Masiyandima later discovered the offence and filed a Police report.

On September 12, 2022 around 1 pm, Zuvaradoka went to Viola Mlambo’s homestead in Mushandike where he forced the door open and stole a 9 kg gas tank, gas plate, motor vehicle jack, car battery, 32 inch plasma TV and an electric inverter. Mlambo filed a Police report and investigations led to the arrest of Zuvaradoka.  

In October he stole from Sandra Mapwasi, a till operator at OK Masvingo Supermarket. He went to her homestead in Target Kopje and stole two laptops, clothes and a travelling bag. A Police report was made.

On December 24, 2022, Zuvaradoka also gained entry into Daniel Mafuka’s homestead and went away with two laptops, a Sony cellphone and a Hisense cellphone, a 3kg gas tank, clothes, a speaker and an electric iron.

On a date unknown to the prosecutor, he went to a one Mashingaidze’s homestead while he was away and forced open the door. He stole 2 laptops, handbags, clothes, a passport and a driver’s license.

Zuvaradoka, stole a car battery from Stephen Chedenga who had left his truck unattended along Chidzororo Street, Hillside in Masvingo on January 4, 2023

He also stole cellphones valued at US$5 706 from Talent Vushe’s shop in Rujeko A on February 3, 2023.

Zuvaradoka’s last victim is former Government minister, Dzikamai Mavhaire whom he stole solar panels from. The panels were fitted on a stand and Zuvaradoka went to Mavhaire’s homestead and stole the solar panels which he took to Bulawayo and left them with his mother.