Danisa Masuku, Court Reporter
TELECOMS giant, Econet Wireless’ sophisticated security system has led to the arrest of five guards after they were captured on CCTV stealing batteries and cables from the company’s warehouse.
The five – Genius Gwazhe (27), Takudzwa Tsuga (30), Roy Gwatura (23), Joel Nyoni (21) and Lesly John Gwazhe (30) – appeared on Tuesday before Bulawayo Regional Magistrate Mr Lungile Ncube facing two counts of unlawful entry and theft.
They all pleaded guilty. Prosecuting, Mr Mufaro Ndirayire told court that Gwazhe, Gwatura, Nyoni and Gwazhe are employed by Crush Security and Suburban Security and were contracted to safeguard Econet Wireless premises and property along J.M.N Nkomo and Connaught Avenue, Bulawayo, while Gwature is employed by Greenland Scrappers contracted by Econet for receiving and dispatching of materials.
The complainant is Econet Wireless represented by its security officer Khulekani Ncube (47). The five offenders will be back in court on Thursday for sentencing.
Mr 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 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’s wireless sophisticated security team, which captured the theft on CCTV, led to the arrest of the accused persons and the subsequent recovery of 9 x ZTE batteries and the Site Camp Support valued at US$30,325-92.
On the second count, it is said 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 3 x 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.
Ends CKD PN
