Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
A POLICE crack team has arrested a six member gang that had been targeting Econet Wireless Zimbabwe’s telecommunication boosters on the outskirts of towns, stealing diesel meant to power generators and solar batteries.
Within just two weeks, the gang raided six boosters in Makoni, Nyanga, and Rusape, making off with 1 290 litres of diesel, a 12 volt Willard 650 battery, and US$180 in cash taken from a security guard.
Detectives have since apprehended all six suspects, and recovered part of the stolen fuel and the battery from three buyers.
Acting Manicaland provincial police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, confirmed the arrests of Benjamin Ben (39) of Olivia Farm, Headlands; brothers, Francis (29) and Joseph Boniyari (37) of Halstead Farm, Headlands; Tichaona Macheka (35) of Wetfield Farm; Innocent Magaba (20) of Temaruru, Rusape and Mike Chitsike (28) of Vengere, Rusape.
Police said the suspects, armed with machetes, iron bars, catapults, and axes, would attack security guards manning the boosters, overpower them, and siphon fuel from generators under the cover of night.
“On June 12, around 9pm, the accused persons went to St Killian’s Econet Booster in Manana Village, Chief Makoni, and pounced on the security guard, Mr Kingston Manana who was on duty, and was in the guard room. The accused persons were armed with iron bars, machetes, and they manhandled Mr Manana, demanding keys which secure the premises. They tied him using a rope, and made him to lie on the ground.
‘‘The accused persons broke the iron bars which secure the fuel tank of the booster, broke the diesel filter which connects fuel tank to the generator and stole about 360l of diesel,” he said.
Assistant Inspector Chinyoka said on June 16, around 9pm, Mr Trymore Magoneke and Mr Zivai Nyarugwe were on duty at a Econet booster in Nyazura when the robbers pounced.
The robbers allegedly forced the security guards to lie down.
“Mr Magoneke attempted to flee, but was struck on the forehead by a stone fired from a catapult. He was also hit on the chin with an iron bar, and collapsed to the ground. The robbers handcuffed the guards, and took a wallet containing US$180 from Mr Magoneke. They siphoned 350l of diesel, and drove away in unknown type of vehicle,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
The suspects continued to use the same modus operandi to commit more robberies.
“On June 18, at around 11.30pm, the suspects went to a Econet booster at Gwiriri Mountain, Chief Mutasa, Honde Valley where they attacked the guard. They drained 200l of diesel which they put into a container, and loaded it into a Honda Fit vehicle, blue in colour and drove away.
“On June 21, the robbers attacked a security guard at the Kriste Mambo booster at around 11pm. They overpowered the guard, and siphoned 140l of diesel from the booster. On June 23, around 11pm, the robbers went to a booster located at Regina Business Centre, Nyamaropa. They threatened the security guard with grass slashers, and drained about 140l of diesel, and took a two-volts Willard 650 battery. They loaded the stolen property into a grey Ford Ranger pick-up truck,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
Luck ran out for the alleged criminals when detectives received information that Ben was suspiciously seen frequenting Econet boosters in Rusape and Nyanga.
Detectives picked him for questioning, and he allegedly admitted committing the crimes, and implicated other suspects.
The suspects led detectives to the recovery of some of the stolen fuel. They also recovered equipment used to commit the offences.
“Detectives received credible information to the effect that Ben was seen frequenting Nyanga, Tsanzaguru, Nyazura and Vengere boosters. He was arrested in Vengere suburb. He was interviewed, and confessed committing the offence, and implicated the other accused persons.
“Detectives also recovered a Toyota Pro-Box, Registration Number AGN7099, white in colour, that was being driven by Tichaona Macheka which was used to ferry the accused persons to all the scenes and to transport the stolen diesel at various disposal points. Detectives recovered two empty drums, one red hosepipe 3 meters long, on big hammer, iron bridge, a machete, an axe, three catapults and a twine rope from the Toyota Pro-Box.
“On June 25, detectives recovered 1 005l of diesel from Blessing Kupemba, 210l from Claudius Munemo and 210l from David Museseji, all of Rusape. The three indicated that they bought the diesel from the accused persons. The team also recovered a 12-volts Willard 650 battery from Kupemba. The value stolen property is US$4 351, and recovered is US$2 751. Investigations are still in progress,” said Assistant Inspector Chinyoka.
