Trio Nabbed in US$7.7K Econet Booster Heist Spree

Munyaradzi Mashiri | Court Correspondent

Three men have been arrested in connection with a string of daring thefts targeting Econet booster stations in Ruwa, where batteries, fuel, and armored cable worth US$7,704 were stolen.

Christopher Makamelo ,60, Nathan Madzima ,33, and Nkosilathi Moyo ,25, appeared at the Harare Magistrates' Courts facing charges of theft.

According to the State, the thefts occurred between April 4 and April 21, 2025. On April 4, informant Achbold Chikati inspected an Econet booster in ZIMRE Park, Ruwa, and found everything in order. 

However, on April 21, he received a report that unknown individuals had breached the site's palisade wall and stolen two Huawei lithium batteries worth US$2,500, 50 litres of petrol valued at US$78, and had also cut and removed armored cable.

Later that evening, around 10:30 PM, another informant, Butau Lxon, noticed that lights on a different Econet booster along Zimre Way were not flashing during a routine patrol. Upon inspection, he found that burglar bars had been forced open and a lithium battery, along with 80 litres of diesel worth US$124.80, had been stolen.

On April 25, detectives from CID Homicide received a tip-off linking Makamelo to the thefts. He was arrested in Jacha, Epworth, and upon interrogation, admitted involvement in the crimes. 

He also implicated Madzima, who was subsequently arrested after attempting to flee. Police fired warning shots before he surrendered.

Makamelo led police to the recovery of two Jell batteries, while Madzima led to the recovery of a car battery. The duo also led detectives to Moyo, who was arrested at his residence.

All recovered batteries were positively identified by the complainants.