Police on Monday arrested five suspects believed to be part of a fuel siphoning syndicate involving tanker drivers and criminal elements, as the clampdown on illegal activities in the fuel sector begins.

The suspects were arrested in the Nyamakate industrial area of Mutare while draining 250 litres of diesel from a fuel tanker.

Police believe that more people could be involved in the illegal dealings countrywide and they have since intensified surveillance on illegal dealers.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest yesterday.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the arrest of five accused persons in Mutare for unlawful dealing in fuel which occurred in Mutare on May 26, at around 2100 hours.

“The five accused persons were arrested in Nyamakate area, Mutare, were they siphoned a total of 10 x 25, litres diesel from a tanker,” he said.
He said police recovered the diesel that was being loaded into a blue Honda Fit (registration number AEB 0818).

“Police investigations revealed that one of the accused persons was the driver of the tanker. The ZRP has intensified its surveillance on illegal dealers and will not hesitate to arrest anyone found engaging in unscrupulous activities,” he said.State media