Over 9000L Diesel Lost to Base Station Robberies in Kwekwe

Kwekwe - The Zimbabwe Republic Police have dismantled a criminal syndicate targeting telecommunications infrastructure following the arrest of two men linked to a violent spree of robberies and fuel thefts at network service provider base stations.

Stanely Chifodya (32) and Kudakwashe Mazvidza (26) appeared before the Kwekwe Regional Court where they were remanded in custody until April 7, 2026, to face trial.

The duo faces multiple charges, including two counts of robbery, eight counts of theft and the unlawful possession of a firearm.

The arrests follow a high-stakes crime wave extending from October 2025 to March 2026, during which approximately 9,000 liters of diesel and several generator batteries were siphoned and looted from critical network sites in and around Kwekwe.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirm the arrest of Stanely Chifodya and Kudakwashe Mazvidza for a series of robberies and thefts targeted at network service provider base stations in Kwekwe," Midlands Criminal Investigation Department Provincial Community Relations Liaison Officer, Detective Inspector Rachel Muteweri said.

The gang’s operations were marked by increasing volatility.

Police reports detail a December 2025 incident where the suspects, armed with a 303 rifle and breaking implements, scaled a security fence and manhandled and assaulted the security guard before threatening him with the firearm.

The group siphoned fuel and stole the site's backup power battery before fleeing.

The syndicate utilised a consistent method of operation, striking multiple locations in a single month, including the Mbizo 7 and Mbizo 15 base stations, where they made off with thousands of liters of fuel.

"Dring the same month of December 2025 and using the same method of operation, they proceeded to Mbizo 7 network booster where they siphoned a total of 1630 litres, they pounced again at another network booster where they stole a total of 938 litres of diesel and Mbizo 15 base station, where they stole a total of 1200 litres of diesel.

"On 15 December 2025 and at around 0200 hours, they strike[d] again at another network service provider booster, manhandled the security guards before stealing a total of 540 litres diesel. They also got away with the generator battery," Detective Inspector Muteweri said.

Despite an interrupted attempt in February where alert security guards forced the gang to abandon 120 liters of siphoned diesel, the group remained active until their capture this month.

The investigation reached a breakthrough on March 20, 2026, when patrolling officers in the Amaveni area observed a suspiciously parked vehicle near a base station.

They observed the suspects draining diesel from a base station generator, leading to the instant apprehension of Chifodya and Mazvidza while their accomplices escaped into the darkness.

Search operations following the arrest uncovered the 303 rifle, various breaking tools and dozens of containers.

Subsequent investigations led to the recovery of 1,540 liters of stolen diesel and two batteries.

Police have since launched a manhunt for the remaining members of the syndicate.

"The Zimbabwe Republic Police is now appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of the outstanding suspects namely, Washington Ndlovu, Takudzwa Hwaire, Mutsa Muzwarimwe and Regis," Detective Inspector Muteweri said.