In a bizarre criminal mishap, three men from Bulawayo were apprehended after stealing 2,900 liters of diesel from Econet Wireless base stations and attempting to sell it close to the theft sites.
The men—Themba Moyo (55), Carlton Ndlovu (44), and Tshidzani Mpofu (33)—were found guilty on October 21 in the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court, Zimbabwe, on charges of multiple robberies and unauthorized trading in petroleum.
The thefts took place in May and June 2024, targeting Econet stations in the Rangemore suburb and along the Bulawayo/Nkayi Road. The men’s choice to set up a roadside stall near the crime scenes ultimately led to their swift capture. The stolen items, including the diesel, mobile phones, a laptop, and sneakers, were estimated to be worth $7,240.
Regional magistrate Dambudzo Malunga noted that Mpofu’s confession led to the arrests of Moyo and Ndlovu, emphasizing their unusual decision to sell the diesel so close to where it was stolen.
Their defense attorney requested leniency, citing their lack of previous offenses and roles as family providers, with sentencing set for October 22.
Prosecutor Owen Mugari explained that the men carried out the thefts by overpowering security guards and siphoning diesel from the Econet sites. The first theft on May 27 at a Rangemore station involved 900 liters, which they sold to local dealers. Following their arrest, police recovered 1,020 liters from a dealer’s residence.
A second theft on June 3 along the Bulawayo/Nkayi Road saw the men restrain a guard and steal 2,000 liters of diesel and other items, some of which were later recovered by police at Mpofu’s home, including 620 liters of diesel.