Woman to languish 10 years in prison over copper scrap 

A LOCAL magistrate has sentenced a 44-year-old woman to 10 years’ imprisonment for dealing in scrap copper, whose origins were likely from national infrastructure installations.

In passing sentence against Success Kudyarawanza (44) at Mbare Magistrates Court, the presiding magistrate said copper-related offences are treated with seriousness due to their negative impact on national infrastructure and economic stability.

Court heard that on March 1, 2026, police detectives received information that the offender was transporting scrap copper from Glendale to Harare with the intention of selling it.

Acting on that information, police detectives conducted surveillance at Gazaland scrap yard in Highfields, where a DAF 10-tonne truck was observed arriving and offloading cargo.

The offender disembarked from the front passenger seat holding a white sack. Detectives conducted a search and recovered scrap copper wires. The offender failed to produce a certificate authorising her to possess or trade in copper and she was subsequently arrested.