Diesel Thieves Caught Selling Near Crime Scene
Themba Moyo (55), Carlton Ndlovu (44), and Tshidzani Mpofu (33) decided to steal 2,900 litres of diesel from Econet Wireless base stations
Diesel Thieves Caught Selling Near Crime Scene
Three men from Bulawayo have seemingly clinched the title of Zimbabwe’s most foolish criminals after a heist that could only be described as a comedy of errors.
Themba Moyo (55), Carlton Ndlovu (44), and Tshidzani Mpofu (33) decided to steal 2,900 litres of diesel from Econet Wireless base stations, only to set up shop and sell it right near the scene of the crime. Genius, right?
The trio, who clearly missed the memo on subtlety, were convicted in the Bulawayo Magistrates’ Court for multiple counts of robbery and illegally dealing in petroleum products. Their daring escapades also included robbing two security guards of gadgets and cash.
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The total haul? Diesel, two mobile phones, a laptop, and a pair of sneakers, all amounting to a whopping US$7,240. Their sentencing is set for Tuesday, and one can only imagine the judge’s struggle to keep a straight face.
In a plot twist worthy of a sitcom, after their diesel heist, the men immediately set up a roadside stall to sell the fuel. Unsurprisingly, this led to their swift capture.
Diesel Thieves Caught Selling Near Crime Scene
Bulawayo regional magistrate Mrs Dambudzo Malunga revealed that Mpofu was the first to crack under pressure, implicating his partners in crime. The evidence was as clear as day: the stolen diesel was being sold right after the Econet base stations were hit.
Despite their defence lawyer’s plea for leniency, citing their status as first-time offenders and breadwinners with minor children, the charges were too heavy to ignore. Prosecutor Owen Mugari recounted the events with a mix of disbelief and amusement.
On May 27, the trio arrived at the Econet base station in Rangemore suburb in a silver Honda Fit, overpowered the security guard, and made off with 900 litres of diesel. They sold it in Emakhandeni, but their luck ran out when police recovered 1,020 litres from a local fuel dealer’s home.
Undeterred by their initial success, the men struck again on June 3 at another Econet base station along the Bulawayo/Nkayi Road. Using the same tactics, they restrained the guard and made off with more loot, including 2,000 litres of diesel. The police later found the stolen items at Mpofu’s home, along with 620 litres of diesel.
