By Information Minister Mutsvangwa
Cabinet considered and approved the Copper Control Amendment Bill, which was presented by the Minister of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, as Chairman of Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
Cabinet was informed that the Bill seeks to provide for the offence of vandalism of utilities through the theft of copper which is then sold on the black market.
The Bill makes it illegal for any person to possess copper without a certificate of origin for that copper.
In order to curb theft of copper, the Police will require anyone found in possession of copper to provide the names and addresses of both the seller and the purchaser, description and quantity of the copper and the reasons for disposal.
Convicted copper thieves will now be liable to imprisonment for a period of not less than 30 years without the option of a fine.
In addition, any vehicle or device used to illegally transport copper will now be forfeited to the State.
