Sanyati duo arrested for US$50k mobile booster fuel and battery heist

Munyaradzi Doma

Two Sanyati men, who went to several mobile network boosters in Gokwe, stealing fuel and lithium batteries worth US$50 000, have been arrested and taken to court.

Cavie Hamadziripi, 37, and Nyasha Madondo, 34, were not asked to plead when they appeared before Gokwe Magistrate Tatenda Mukurunge-Doma.

They were remanded in custody to November 3.

The State, led by prosecutor Bongani Kandunguruzhi, alleges that on a date not yet known between September and October 16 this year, the duo went to some sites in Gokwe and Sanyati with the intention of stealing from mobile network boosters.

It is alleged that once they were at the boosters, they would assault and tie up the guards manning the sites.

Indications are that the duo would use metal objects to cut the iron bars securing the boosters and cut fuel pipes then drain all the fuel from the generators used for running the boosters.

The State further alleges that Hamadziripi and Madondo would also damage the transformers which generate electricity to run the boosters and steal lithium batteries, copper windings and armoured cables.

The court also heard that the duo was found in possession of the stolen items and that there are witnesses who saw them committing the offence.

Property worth US$30 000 was recovered and positively identified by the complainants.