Tourists robbers in court

Two men have been arraigned before the courts facing multiple counts of unlawful entry and theft after allegedly breaking into several tents at Vundu Bush Safari Camp in Mana Pools in September last year.

According to court papers, Ephraim Maronga (45) and Clayton Kapesa (44) are accused of unlawfully entering tents belonging to tourists and camp staff and stealing valuables including cameras, lenses, watches and cash.

The stolen property allegedly includes a custom belt knife, a Karrimor SF30 backpack, a Garmin Fenix 5 Sapphire watch, a khaki pouch, a magnesium fire lighter, two Condor first aid kits, an Itel mobile phone and two firearm certificates. The total value of the stolen items is estimated to exceed US$10 000.

The complainants in the matter are Mark Beau Friend, Andrew Skillen, Juliet Morton Turner, Valerie Snyder, Murray Nicholas, Steven Stuber, Jonathan Paul Sammon and Elizabeth Morton Turner. They told the court that unknown suspects broke into their tents during the night and made off with various personal items.

Mr Friend, a guide at the safari camp, said he had retired to bed in his tent on the night of September 10, 2024, when the accused allegedly cut into his tent and stole his belongings.

Mr Skillen reported that the suspects stole two Canon camera bodies, two Canon lenses and US$250 from his tent. Ms Turner said the accused made off with a khaki backpack containing a camera, two Fuji camera bodies, two Fuji lenses and US$1 000, while Ms Snyder reported the theft of three Fuji camera bodies, three Fuji lenses and US$800.

Mr Nicholas told the court that 20 loaves of bread and six 300ml soft drinks were stolen from his tent, while Mr Stuber reported the theft of two backpacks, two duffle bags, a camera bag and US$800.

Mr Sammon said the suspects stole two bags containing a Nikon D7200 camera, two 128GB memory cards and US$2 500. Ms Turner also reported the theft of a khaki backpack containing a camera, two Fuji camera bodies, a Leica Q2 camera and US$1 000.

The State alleges that Maronga and Kapesa were later arrested in Zambia after being intercepted by officials from the Zambia Wildlife Authority while in possession of the stolen property.

They are facing nine counts of unlawful entry and theft and are currently in custody. Prosecutors allege the two acted in connivance with Abel Marikopo, who is still at large.

The court heard that the accused allegedly used an unknown sharp object to cut into the tents before stealing the goods.