A 34-year-old Bulawayo man, Ronald Shumba, is in police custody after being caught attempting to steal 60 litres of diesel from the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) premises. The arrest has once again highlighted growing concerns over rising cases of fuel theft targeting state enterprises across the country.
According to court records, Shumba was intercepted by alert NRZ security officers as he tried to leave the company’s premises carrying two containers of stolen diesel. He has since appeared before Bulawayo Magistrate Abednico Ndebele, facing charges of theft. The court remanded him in custody until October 18 as investigations continue.
Prosecutor Joseph Rugara told the court that the incident occurred on October 10 at around 9 p.m. when Shumba arrived at the NRZ gate driving a blue Honda Fit, registration number AEJ 5463. His movements reportedly aroused the suspicion of security guard Gerald Dhliwayo, who decided to conduct a search of the vehicle.
During the inspection, Dhliwayo discovered two 30-litre containers — one blue and the other khaki — both filled with diesel. When questioned about the source of the fuel, Shumba failed to provide a satisfactory explanation, leading to his immediate arrest. The stolen fuel, valued at approximately US$75, was recovered in full, and the containers were seized as evidence.
Authorities praised the vigilance of the security staff, saying their swift action prevented the fuel from leaving the premises. “We commend the NRZ security officers for remaining alert and acting professionally to protect state property,” said a police source.
Bulawayo Man Arrested for Stealing 60 Litres of Diesel from NRZ
NRZ has for years battled rampant fuel and equipment theft, which the parastatal says has contributed to huge operational losses. Fuel meant for locomotives and maintenance work has become a prime target for syndicates involving employees and outsiders.
“This is not an isolated case,” said an NRZ spokesperson who spoke on condition of anonymity. “We continue to experience cases of people stealing fuel from locomotives, depots, and workshops. These activities severely disrupt our operations and drain our already limited resources.”
Police have since intensified patrols around key industrial installations and government institutions to curb such crimes. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has warned that those caught tampering with or stealing state resources will face stiff penalties.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, police in Mazowe arrested a man identified as Rodrick Kativhu for allegedly vandalizing a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) transformer at Foyle Farm. The suspect was reportedly caught red-handed by security guards while attempting to remove armoured cables from the power installation.
According to police reports, Kativhu was found in possession of a black satchel containing 12 spanners, three knives, a pair of pliers, an adjustable steel spanner, four pieces of copper cable, and several items of clothing. Authorities say the suspect was part of a growing network of copper cable thieves responsible for repeated power disruptions in rural and farming areas.
“Theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure have become a serious national problem,” said national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi. “We continue to arrest offenders, but we urge communities to report suspicious activities near power lines and transformers to prevent further losses.”
The ongoing wave of infrastructure theft has not only affected power and transport utilities but has also contributed to service delivery challenges nationwide. Both ZETDC and NRZ have been incurring massive repair costs due to vandalism and resource theft, further straining their already fragile budgets.
Analysts warn that the economic hardships gripping the country may be fuelling such criminal acts. With unemployment and inflation continuing to soar, many individuals are turning to illicit activities as a means of survival. However, authorities have emphasized that economic difficulties cannot justify criminal conduct.
“Stealing from public institutions is stealing from the nation,” said an anti-corruption advocate, Ms. Rudo Makore. “Every litre of fuel or metre of cable stolen directly undermines national development and public service delivery.”
As investigations into both cases continue, police have urged citizens to be vigilant and to report all suspicious individuals found near strategic installations. Shumba remains behind bars awaiting further court proceedings, while Kativhu is expected to appear before a Mazowe magistrate in the coming days.
The two arrests come amid renewed efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on economic sabotage and theft of critical state infrastructure. Authorities say such crimes not only cause financial losses but also delay national recovery efforts in key sectors like energy and transport.
For now, the swift apprehension of both suspects offers a small victory for security forces in their ongoing battle against theft and vandalism — crimes that continue to plague Zimbabwe’s struggling public institutions.
Source- iHarare
