…..as Police Seek Four Outstanding Suspects
Tonderai Saharo
News Editor
Kwekwe—The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) confirmed the arrest of Stanely Chifodya, 32, and Kudakwashe Mazvidza, 26, in connection with a string of robberies and thefts targeting network service provider base stations in Kwekwe and surrounding areas between October 2025 and March 2026.
The investigation led to the recovery of significant amounts of diesel, batteries, and other equipment.
The two men were charged with two robbery counts, eight theft counts, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
According to a ZRP statement, the suspects and their accomplices—who remain at large—committed multiple attacks on base stations, often using breaking implements and a 303 rifle.
Notable incidents include an assault on a security guard and the disposal of diesel and a generator battery during a December 2025 operation at a network service base station.
In December 2025, the gang is alleged to have siphoned thousands of liters of diesel from several locations, including Mbizo 7 and Mbizo 15 base stations, with other thefts recorded in the same period.
One February 2025 incident involved a base station where alert guards forced the suspects to flee, leaving behind empty containers and siphoned diesel.
The pair’s arrest occurred on 20 March 2026 in the Amaveni area after police observed a suspiciously parked vehicle and intercepted them as they drained diesel from a base station generator.
Officers recovered, among other items, a 303 rifle, 26x 40-litre empty containers, one partially filled 40-litre container with diesel, two batteries, and a total of 1,540 litres of diesel.
The suspects were brought before Kwekwe Regional Court and remanded in custody until 7 April 2026 for trial.
The ZRP is now seeking information on four outstanding suspects: Washington Ndlovu, Takudzwa Hwaire, Mutsa Muzwarimwe, and one only identified as Regis.
Detective Inspector, Rachel Muteweri, the Midlands Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer for the Criminal Investigation Department, urged anyone with information to come forward to assist with the ongoing investigations.
