Serial armed robbers arrested

Police in Masvingo have arrested two suspected serial armed robbers linked to a string of diesel and battery thefts targeting telecommunications infrastructure in Kwekwe.

Provincial police spokesperson Kuda Dhewa identified the suspects as Stanley Chifodya (32) and Kudakwashe Mazvidza (26), who are believed to be part of a gang that had been terrorising network service providers' base stations between October 2025 and March 2026.

According to police, the syndicate stole approximately 9,000 litres of diesel and four generator batteries during the period. The gang allegedly used a consistent and violent modus operandi, targeting base stations at night while armed.

In one incident on December 7, 2025, the suspects, along with accomplices still at large, reportedly armed themselves with breaking tools and a .303 rifle before attacking a base station. They scaled the perimeter fence, assaulted a security guard and threatened him with a firearm before siphoning diesel from a generator and stealing a battery.

The group is said to have carried out multiple similar raids in December, including attacks in Mbizo 7 where they siphoned 1,630 litres of diesel, and at other booster sites where they took 938 litres and 1,200 litres respectively. On December 15, they allegedly struck again around 2am, assaulting guards and stealing 540 litres of diesel along with another generator battery.

Police said the suspects attempted another raid on February 12, 2026, but fled after being confronted by vigilant security personnel, leaving behind containers filled with diesel.

Their activities came to an end on March 20, when police on patrol in Amaveni, Kwekwe, noticed a suspicious vehicle parked near a base station. Officers reportedly caught the suspects in the act of draining diesel from a generator, leading to the arrest of Chifodya and Mazvidza, while other accomplices escaped.

Authorities recovered a .303 rifle, 26 empty 40-litre containers, one filled container and various tools used to break into the sites. Further investigations led to the recovery of two stolen batteries and 1,540 litres of diesel.

The suspects have since appeared at the Kwekwe Regional Court facing two counts of robbery, eight counts of theft and an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm. They were remanded in custody to April 7, 2026.

Police are now appealing to the public for information that could lead to the arrest of the remaining suspects, identified as Washington Ndlovu, Takudzwa Hwaire, Mutsa Muzwarimwe and Regis, who are still on the run.