HARARE – Three individuals from Epworth have been brought before the Harare Magistrates’ Court, accused of stealing batteries from Econet network boosters in a brazen act of theft. Christopher Makamelo, also known as Nyambuya, aged 60, Tinotenda Nathan Madzima, 33, and Nosilathi Mahellow Moyo, 25, appeared before magistrate Ruth Moyo yesterday, where they were not asked to enter a plea.
The court heard details of the alleged crimes, which involved two separate incidents targeting Econet boosters in the Zimre Park area.
The first incident occurred on April 4th when an informant visited the Econet Booster located at Zimre Park and confirmed that everything was intact. However, on April 21st, the informant received a notification that unknown individuals had used an object to break through the wall of the Econet booster.
According to the prosecution, the trio, along with other accomplices, managed to steal two Huwaei Lithium batteries valued at US$2500. They also made off with 50 litres of petrol, valued at US$78, and cut off an armoured cable, causing further damage.
In a separate incident on April 21st, a second informant was on patrol along Zime Way when he noticed that the Econet Booster lights were not flashing, raising suspicion. Upon investigation, he discovered that thieves had used an unknown object to break the burglar bars.
The thieves proceeded to steal a Lithium battery valued at US$2500 and 80 litres of diesel valued at US$124, further disrupting network services in the area.
Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Homicide received information implicating Makamelo in these crimes, with reports placing him in the Jacha area of Epworth.
Acting on this intelligence, detectives moved in and apprehended Makamelo. During questioning, he implicated his accomplices, leading to their arrest after a reported shootout with police.
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