Three cops steal fuel

Post Correspondent
THREE police officers stationed at Nyazura Police Station were this week hauled before the courts on allegations of stealing 95 litres of petrol worth $124 at their workplace. The cops were asked not to plead when they appeared before provincial magistrate Mrs Elizabeth Hanzi who released them on $20 bail each.

The trio, Cliff Farai Chitenga, Brighton Dube and Ronald Masendeke who were all represented by Mr Munyaradazi Manyengavana of Chiwanza and Partners are being charged under Section 113(1)of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9, 23.

Public prosecutor, Mr Tafara Chawatama, told the court that the suspects were caught siphon fuel from a holding tank at the police station.

“On March 13 at around 1am, Brighton Dube was on duty manning the main gate together with Constable Tineyi Chimutsa when Cliff Chitenga arrived at the gate driving a Toyota Noah in the company of Ronald Masendeke.

“Dube opened the boom gate and Chitenga drove inside and stopped a few meters after the boom gate. Dube who was in the company of Masendeke proceeded to the charge office which was being manned by Constable Chagwedera. Dube then secretly obtained a clipboard which contained fuel log sheets and keys to the fuel pump. He switched on the fuel pump electricity breaker.

“The trio connived and went to the fuel pump and stole petrol. They were disturbed by Constable Chagwedera who came out after smelling petrol. Dube and Masendeke then disappeared into the darkness leaving Chitenga at the pump,” he said.

However, Chitenga denied stealing the fuel and he got into the vehicle and drove off.

Chagwedera reported the matter leading to the arrest of the suspects.