Online Reporter
Zvikomborero Parafini
THREE men masqueraded as Econet techniciands as they raided the company’s base stations in Harare’s CBD and stole lithium batteries worth US$90,000.
The trio has appeared in court facing 17 counts of unlawful entry and theft.
Tinoshe Tinarwo (23), Luckmore Mhoyana (24) and Munashe Munetsi (25) yesterday appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa charged with unlawful entry into premises in aggravating circumstances.
The trio allegedly targeted several Econet base stations in the Harare CBD between October last year and May this year.
According to the State, the accused allegedly wore reflective jackets branded “Econet” and falsely claimed to be employees from the company’s head office.
Prosecutors allege the suspects would tell caretakers and security guards that they had been assigned to service Huawei lithium batteries before gaining access to the premises.
After being allowed entry, the trio allegedly used keys to unlock cabinets housing lithium batteries connected to rectifiers that convert alternating current to direct current.
The State alleges the gang stole dozens of 48-volt 100Ah lithium batteries from several locations, including Fidelity Assurance Building, Harare Main Post Office, Gandahari Building, State Lottery Building, Zimre POSB Centre, Reliance Mall, Daventry House, Pollack House, KKT Tiles, OK Cameron Street Building, CT Bolts Building, TM Pick n Pay Julia Zvobgo Street and Thame Building.
In one raid, the suspects allegedly convinced a caretaker at OK Cameron Street Building that they had been sent to service the batteries before stealing five lithium batteries from the premises.
The stolen batteries are valued at US$90,000, while property worth US$18,000 has been recovered.
Mathew Masinge