Reuters

Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa says Zimbabweans who vandalise or are found in possession of State power and communication equipment could soon be jailed for more than 10 years. Photo: Reuters

Zimbabweans who vandalise or are found in possession of State power and communication equipment could soon be jailed for more than 10 years, lose their property and be liable to pre-trial imprisonment, Zimbabwe's Herald Online reported on Tuesday.

Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa, who was speaking in the House of Assembly while presenting the Criminal Law Amendment Bill, said the regulations would require a police clearance certificate for transportation of power, communication, broadcasting and water equipment.

He said theft of public utilities’ equipment such as copper and aluminum cables and other critical irreplaceable electrical, broadcasting and railway components remained serious cause for concern.

Clause 2 of the Bill that seeks to curb vandalism forbids granting of bail to accused offenders for specified offences.

“The schedule specifies offences which constitute serious economic crimes in connection with which the AG may authorise the pre-trial detention of offenders for up to 21 days without bail.”

Chinamasa said Zimbabwe had experienced a rise in trafficking of stolen equipment and materials used in the power and communications infrastructure, which were being smuggled to neighbouring countries.

“Persons wishing to transport power, communications and water infrastructure, equipment and material must first obtain a special police clearance certificate from the regulating authority,” he said.

Failure to produce the certificate when asked to do so by an authority will attract a five-year jail term.

“A person who fails to produce a special police clearance certificate or the appropriate customs clearance documentation will have the burden of showing any lawful cause for being in possession of such material.”

Possession of such materials will attract a 10-year jail term, which means a perpetrator could spend at least 15 years behind bars. -

Sapa