Story by Peter Chivhima
The vandalism of electricity infrastructure continues to be a source of worry with a seven-member gang having been arrested for stealing a transformer at Wengi Farm in Concession last week.
It is alleged that on the 10th of this month, the suspects approached a private security guard who was manning the premises at Wengi Farm in Concession where they attacked him before stealing components of a 200 KVA transformer and cables.
The first four suspects Edison Mubhawu, Solomon Bambiko, Lameck Magwenzi and Solomon Gedion were arrested in Concession while the other three Laina Madziwa, Tendai Makatsi, Delan Pamire were arrested in Epworth.
ZRP National Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest of the suspects, “I can confirm the arrest of the seven suspects in connection with theft and vandalism of ZESA property. After vandalising a transformer in Concession Mashonaland Central province, police moved in quickly and arrested four of the suspects, with three escaping only to be arrested in Epworth, Harare. We have since recovered a Toyota Bubble vehicle which was being used by the suspects and their tools of trade.”
It is the latest case in a series of criminal activities which have cost the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority-ZESA millions of United States Dollars while also contributing to load shedding.
ZESA Holdings Loss Control Manager, Mr Festo Madembo said cases of vandalism are weighing down on the power utility’s capacity to provide electricity to the nation.
“As ZESA Holdings we are very concerned about the issue of electricity. So, we want to ensure the nation that we will continue working with the police to reduce such cases,” said ZESA Holdings Loss Control manager, Mr Festo Madembo.
The Second Republic is however determined to improve electricity generation and distribution for the benefit of the citizenry with power generation capacity having improved significantly over the past week from around 1300 Megawatts to over 1800 MW as shown by the latest statistics released by the Zimbabwe Power Company.
