The Harare Magistrates’ Court has sentenced three men to an effective 16 years in prison each after convicting them of armed robbery and theft of telecommunications infrastructure.
Christopher Makamelo, 60, Tinotenda Jonathan Madzima, 33, and Nkosilathi Mahello Moyo, 25, were found guilty following a full trial for a violent incident that occurred on March 30, 2025, at a base station in Msasa.
According to evidence presented by the State, the trio, travelling in a silver Toyota Wish, broke into the secured base station after cutting through a palisade fence. Once inside, they violently attacked the on-duty security guard, striking him on the head and leaving him unconscious.
They then drained 100 litres of diesel from the station’s generator and stole a 48V lithium battery valued at US$2,160. The accused fled the scene after committing the offence.
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Their arrest came nearly a month later, on April 25, 2025, after police received a tip-off that led to the apprehension of one suspect in Epworth. During interrogation, he implicated his two accomplices, who were swiftly arrested.
Investigations revealed that the stolen battery had already been sold to a third party but was successfully recovered by police during a follow-up operation.
Magistrate Ruth Moyo condemned the trio’s actions as a threat to critical infrastructure and public safety, noting that the premeditated nature of the attack, the use of violence, and the targeting of national telecoms infrastructure warranted a strong deterrent.
Each offender was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment, with four years suspended on condition of good behaviour, leaving them to serve an effective 16 years behind bars.
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