Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
TELECOMS giant Econet Wireless’ sophisticated security system has led to the arrest and subsequent imprisonment of five guards after they were captured on CCTV stealing batteries and cables from the company’s warehouse.
The accused — Genius Gwazhe (27), Takudzwa Tsuga (30), Roy Gwatura (23), Joel Nyoni (21) and Lesly John Gwazhe (30) — appeared on Wednesday before Bulawayo regional magistrate, Mr Lungile Ncube, for sentencing after they pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful entry and theft.
For count one, the magistrate sentenced each to 10 years, of which five years were suspended on condition that they each pay US$7 376,34 restitution on or before 31 January next year. A further one year was suspended on condition that they exhibit good behaviour.
For count two, the accused were each sentenced to two years in jail, with one year suspended on condition that they pay US$1 000 restitution by 31 January next year.
Both counts will run concurrently, meaning they will each serve four years in jail. In sentencing them, the magistrate said it was not a strong defence to say they stole batteries and cables because they were not getting enough salary.
“You were supposed to work hard and supplement your income rather than steal from your employer. I will send you to jail so that you reform and that will be a message to would-be offenders,” said Mr Ncube.
In aggravation prosecutor, Ms Mufaro Ndirayire, said the five offenders breached the trust their employer had in them.
“You were in a position of trust but you breached that trust and stole from your employer. You plunged your employer into a financial loss. The value of the items stolen is huge and you benefitted from the offence. The State prays for a custodial sentence,” said Ms Ndirayire.
Ms Ndirayire told the court that Gwazhe, Gwatura, Nyoni and Gwazhe were employed by Crush Security and Suburban Security and were contracted to safeguard Econet Wireless premises and property along JMN Nkomo Street and Connaught Avenue, Bulawayo, while Gwatura is employed by Greenland Scrappers contracted by Econet for receiving and dispatching materials.
Ms Ndirayire said on a date unknown to the prosecutor between May 2026 and 16 October 2026, the offenders hatched a plan to steal from the complainant.
Acting in common purpose and taking advantage of the fact that they had access to the warehouse, they stole batteries valued at US$3 352,88 each and a Site Camp Support valued at US$150 and went away unnoticed. The total value stolen is US$67 207,60.
Investigations carried out by Econet Wireless’ sophisticated security team, which captured the theft on CCTV, led to the arrest of the accused persons and the subsequent recovery of nine ZTE batteries and the Site Camp Support valued at US$30 325,92.
On the second count, it is alleged that on 16 October 2026 during the night, the gang connived and hatched a plan to steal from the complainant. They proceeded to the complainant’s workplace where they used duplicate keys to unlock the sliding main gate to the warehouse and took drums of
DC cables valued at US$2 500 each plus three DC cable cut-offs measuring 41 metres, 25 metres and 10,3 metres valued at US$200.
Investigations led to the recovery of two sealed cable drums and two cables measuring 41 metres and 25 metres. The total value of the stolen property in count two is US$10 200 and property valued at US$5 200 was recovered.
