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Fungai Lupande Court Reporter
A daring Chinhoyi-based freelance journalist Romeo Kurai Pemba broke into various properties where he stole computers and other electronic gadgets, a Harare magistrate heard yesterday.
Pemba (29) of Number 1026 /324 Hunyani Section in Chinhoyi, appeared before Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe. He is facing six counts of unlawful entry in aggravated circumstances and was remanded in custody to Monday.
It is alleged that on March 7 this year at around 5pm, director of Oasis Computers, Mr Howard Muchoko, secured his shop and left. Pemba went to the shop in the dead of the night and smashed a display windowpane. He allegedly stole several smart phones, tablets, digital cameras and laptops worth $6 260.
On May 13 around 1am Pemba smashed the window of a shop owned by Jockstar Investments (Pvt) Ltd. He stole a desktop computer, a Samsung Galaxy Note 2 cellphone and a CCTV monitor worth $4 300. Pemba allegedly inserted his Econet line 0772 318 688 in the stolen cellphone and later sold it.
On August 13 at around 11pm Pemba entered the Harare Magistrates’ Courts through unlocked Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services gates.
He scaled water pipes up to the fifth floor, where he removed three louvres on the eastern fanlight door to a reception office.
He stole a desktop computer and printer valued at $1 500. The stolen property was sold to James Mwandura where it was later recovered. Six days later, Pemba broke into the Harare City Library at corner Rotten Row and Pennefather Avenue.
He allegedly stole three Samsung monitors and two CPUs worth $600 and sold them to Mwandura.
On August 24 Pemba allegedly broke a window to National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe director’s office.
He stole a monitor, CPU and Acer projector worth $1 200, which he sold to Mwandura. On September 7, Pemba broke the window into Steward Bank chief executive’s office. He stole an Apple thunderbolt computer and a Galaxy S4 cellphone both worth $2 019.
Pemba was arrested on September 10 and led detectives to the crime scenes.
Online Reporter