Three Form Six students at Hartzell High School are set to appear in Court on Tuesday, 22 November, following their arrest for allegedly stealing 20 laptops from the school.
Courage Mapiye of Harare, Prosper Munyaradzi Simon of Chikanga Phase Two, Mutare, and Prince Mupaza of Whitecliff in Harare allegedly broke into the school’s computer lab and stole the laptops.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Manicaland District spokesperson, Detective Sergeant Shake Shanu confirmed the arrest of the three learners.
The three, who are all aged 19, will appear in court after writing their final examinations.
Shanu said on 4 November this year, a security guard at Hartzell High School, Kenneth Mabika commenced duty and carried out some perimeter checks around the premises.
Mabika observed that everything was intact and the windows were closed while the doors were locked. Said Detective Sergeant Shanu:
There was a power outage when Mabika commenced duty. When power was restored, Mabika carried out some checks and discovered that the computer laboratory door was partially open.
He advised a Computer Science teacher, Mr Agrippa Mungazi, who came and discovered that 20 laptops had been stolen.
A roll call was instantly conducted at the school and the three accused persons were missing. Mabika made a report at ZRP Penhalonga.
Shanu said detectives from CID Mutare attended the scene the next day and fingerprints were lifted.
Mapiye, Simon and Mupaza were interviewed but denied committing the offence. Added Detective Sergeant Shanu:
On Sunday, the accused persons were further interviewed and admitted breaking the computer laboratory door lock using a hacksaw and stealing 20 laptops.
They took the laptops to Chikanga and left them in the custody of Paidashe Mukwada.
On the same day, the three accused persons led the detectives to Chikanga where they recovered the 20 laptops and a hacksaw from Mukwada.
Mapiye, Simon and Mupazawere charged with unlawful entry into premises and theft.
The total value of the stolen laptops is US$5 500 and everything was recovered. | The Manica Post