The Chronicle
Mkhululi Ncube, Chronicle reporter
BULWAYO police arrested a man from the suburb of Iminyela who stole nine solar batteries valued at $ 14,000 from two clinics in the southern province of Matabeleland.
The provincial police spokesman, Inspector Abednico Ncube, said the arrest of Zenzo Benoni Moyo, 36, followed a tip the police had received from the public.
“The batteries were stolen from the Fumugwe and Stanmore clinics in Gwanda in January of this year. Based on the information, the police arrested the suspect who led the police to recover the stolen property, with three of them being sold in different locations, ”said Insp Ncube.
He said the theft could have resulted in two clinics losing critical medicines and unable to provide vital services that require electricity.
Insp Ncube said police made multiple arrests for property theft outside of Bulawayo, making the city a market target.
“I would like to warn the public in Bulawayo against buying stolen property. Anything bought without a receipt must be dealt with with the suspect and the public must inform the police. Once the property is found to have been stolen, those who would have bought the goods will be prosecuted along with the criminals. We will not allow Bulawayo to be used as a stolen property market, ”he said.
Insp Ncube said some of the criminals are taking the stolen property to rural areas where they are trading it for beatings with farmers. He said the suspect was being transferred to Gwanda for a trial. [email protected]