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Crime Reporter
IN what could be a tip of the iceberg, police recently arrested a five-man gang that has been targeting and siphoning fuel from Feruka pipeline, posing a threat to national infrastructure and the economy.
This was revealed last Friday at an event where more than 40 detectives from all Criminal Investigations Department (CID) sections were given awards for arresting wanted notorious criminals who have been terrorising people.
The detectives came from CID Homicide which deals with violent cases and those from Bulawayo, Mwenezi, Norton and Marondera, among others.
A team from Marondera nabbed five criminals who are believed to be part of an international syndicate involved in brazen criminal acts.
Between January and March 2024, police received alarming reports that unknown criminals were digging one-square-metre pits to unlawfully access the Feruka pipeline.
This led to significant fuel theft and serious pipeline damage over several days.
The Feruka pipeline is 287 kilometres long and runs from Beira, Mozambique to the Feruka oil refinery in Mutare, Zimbabwe.
The pipeline, which carries millions of litres of fuel daily, is a key part of the Beira corridor, which is a major energy supply route for Zimbabwe, Zambia, and the Congolese region of Katanga.
To flush out the criminal syndicates, a team of detectives from Marondera was swiftly assembled, according to an awards citation that was read on Friday.
Initial investigations indicated the involvement of a transnational organised criminal syndicate, reminiscent to incidents in South Africa where approximately 7.5 million litres of fuel were lost in 2022 due to pipeline thefts. However, there were no traces to start with.
The team started investigations with a meticulous revisit of the crime scenes to uncover any overlooked clues. It identified several items that had not been recognised by first responders.
Subsequently, team members travelled to Harare to further their inquiries, attempting to match tools found at the crime scenes with recent sales records.
However, this approach yielded no immediate leads. Over three days, the detectives focused on surveillance, cultivating contacts and informants, tirelessly working to crack the case.
“Their commitment to the investigation paid off on 17 March 2024 at around 0300 hours when they received a crucial tip-off regarding further damage to the pipeline. The team rushed to the scene but unfortunately, arrived after the suspects had fled, leaving them without any immediate evidence.
“Undeterred, the detectives utilised the department’s criminal records office, criminal analysis tools, informer network, and surveillance techniques and conducted exhaustive follow-ups. Their relentless efforts led to the successful apprehension of five suspects in Harare, while three others managed to escape to South Africa. Information was promptly shared with border control teams and Interpol to pursue the fugitives. Efforts are still underway to ensure that they are brought to book.
“The team’s extraordinary perseverance, selflessness, attention to detail and dedication were instrumental in recovering 96 620 litres of stolen fuel valued at approximately US$144 930. Their work did not only address this serious crime but also played a vital role in protecting the Feruka pipeline, a crucial asset for the country’s economy. By going the extra mile, the detectives thwarted a syndicate that threatened to bring the economy to a halt, showcasing their unwavering commitment to safeguarding national interests,” read the citation in part.
In another award-winning case, a CID team in Mwenezi recently used high-powered vehicles and a helicopter to track down three armed men who robbed 45 passengers travelling in a Blue Circle bus along the Harare-Beitbridge Highway in July this year.
The gang that robbed the 45 bus passengers got away with US$8 621 and R62 070 but CID Mwenezi rounded them up, and one has already been jailed for 84 years.
CID Mwenezi responded promptly when the robbery was reported, examined the scene and recovered 9mm cartridges.
Despite the challenge of identifying the stolen cash, they collected detailed descriptions of the robbers who had boarded the bus in Harare. The team mobilised their informant network, community leaders and other intelligence services, ensuring thorough patrols and searches of potential hideouts.
High-powered vehicles and a helicopter were sourced to aid in tracking the robbers.
On July 18, an informant reported seeing the gang at Maporisa Business Centre in Maranda, Mwenezi. Detectives used two Land Cruisers and a helicopter for a co-ordinated response, with one detective monitoring from the air. The operation succeeded in apprehending three suspects, one of whom was found with a pistol and live ammunition.
The detectives recovered R7 000, US$500, Blue Circle bus tickets, a black jacket and a balaclava. The gang admitted to sharing the loot after the robbery. One of the apprehended criminals was identified as a serving member of the Zimbabwe National Army. The team also managed to lure another suspect back from South Africa where he had already fled and then arrested him.
“The expertise and co-ordination demonstrated by CID Mwenezi detectives were crucial in the successful arrest of the perpetrators and recovery of the stolen loot. This case exemplifies the effectiveness of teamwork and intelligence-sharing in police operations, reinforcing the community’s trust in law enforcement,” reads the citation.
Speaking at the 2024 CID Awards of Excellence, chief director of CID, Commissioner Jealous Nyabasa, said the officers were recognised for performing their duties with distinction.
“From the onset, may I take this opportunity to inform you all that the modern policing environment has become dynamic and replete with challenges spawned by technology and the general appetite towards criminal tendencies which has made crime more sophisticated, heinous and far-reaching.
“The net effect of these developments has been that it has become more and more difficult to manage, and investigate and has resulted in increased impact on society. This requires the police to be more agile, innovative and resourceful when dealing with crime.
“In this regard, we saw it necessary as the police to mobilise society through community policing initiatives which include the Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe, crime liaison committees and the neighbourhood watch committees amongst others.
“I am glad that today we are gathered here as a culmination of the efforts by the CID and Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe which has seen it necessary to award exceptional effort from our foot soldiers,” he said.
Comm Nyabasa said the policing environment demanded that their police officers went an extra kilometre in an effort to solve complicated criminal cases and some had done so with distinction.
“It is these police officers whom we are going to reward today. But may I hasten to highlight that, as Team CID, we have done so well in creating a conducive working environment for business to thrive in all the key sectors of the economy.
“It is also our collective effort that has complemented individual brilliance to the extent that today, we are celebrating them. In this spirit, it is clear that in the end, all of us are winners and we should be happy for such achievements,” he said.
Online Reporter