SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO–Samuel Benston Nhamo (32) of Village Rukweza under Chief Nyashanu in Chiredzi is battling for life at Masvingo Provincial Hospital after he was burnt while allegedly stealing transformer oil on Tuesday this week.
According to the Police memo in our possession on August 30 at around 3am Nhamo and his accomplice identified as Pauros who is still at large went to Farm 5 Mukwasine at a ZEDTC substation on the 33KV Chiredzi/Mkwasine power line.
The accused climbed up the electricity pole and cut a 4 core armored cable measuring 10 metres by 35mm connecting the transformer to the meter box.
As he was cutting the wire he got an electric shock resulting in serious burns all over the body and as a result he fell down from the pole in paralysis.
The accused was then seen at around 5am in the morning by a passerby lying motionless at the scene.
Police were informed and the victim was taken to Chiredzi General Hospital under guard.
He was later transferred to Masvingo Provincial Hospital for further treatment as he sustained serious burns.
Nhamo told the Police that his accomplice Paurosi had informed him that there was ready buyer with US$200 for the transformer oil hence he agreed to commit the offence.
