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Court Reporter
Four men accused of stealing 20 000 litres of diesel from Econet Wireless Zimbabwe network base stations around Harare were yesterday denied bail. Munyaradzi Umutu (23), Fungai Chihuri (34), Albert Mupingo (34) and Benjamin Kachepa (30) appeared before magistrate Mr Elijah Makomo.

They are facing charges of wilful damage to or interference with or theft of telecommunication lines and apparatus.

The quartet lodged complaints against the police saying they were assaulted and forced to make indications.

They were remanded in custody to March 7.

Prosecutor Mr Sebastian Mutizirwa alleged that in June last year the quartet connived with their accomplices only identified as Horomba and Shortie who are on the run to commit the crime.

They went to Borrowdale’s Sam Levy’s Village, Dandaro, Highlands, University of Zimbabwe, Mt Pleasant, Waterfalls, Hatfield, Mbudzi roundabout and Eastlea Econet base stations where they stole a total of 20 000 litres of diesel.

The four were later arrested and voluntarily led detectives to the recovery of 80 litres of diesel from Edmore Zisengwe to whom they supplied the fuel.

The fuel was positively identified by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe because of its unique blue tint.

A Toyota Hiace (registration number ADS 6786) used by the accused to ferry the fuel at crime scenes was recovered.

The quartet’s telephone communication placed them at the crime scenes on the dates the offences were committed.

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe lost $21 600 of which only $86,40 was recovered.