Vandalism, theft cost Zesa $20million Mr Fullard Gwasira

Whinsley Masara, Business Reporter
THE country’s power utility, Zesa, has to date lost transformers worth about $20 million and hundreds of copper cable rods to theft and vandalism of the infrastructure.

In an interview, Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure has become a serious problem in their operations to the level of economic sabotage.

“The country is losing three transformers every night, with about 4 000 having been lost so far. These are imported materials, which cost about $5 000 each bringing the total loss to $20 million to date,” he said.

Mr Gwasira said theft and vandalism of Zesa infrastructure has become prevalent throughout the country.

“Replacement of transformers is very costly as they are imported.

“With the country experiencing such losses, theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure incidents have become a serious cause for concern and should be declared a state of emergency,” he said.

Mr Gwasira said the state of emergency entails diverting resources towards this challenge as infrastructure damage was stalling the economic development agenda.

“Instead of improving on our services and growing as an industry, we are busy looking back to replace the cables that have been stolen and replace transformers, which have been drained of oil, and transformers whose components have been stolen,” he said.

Mr Gwasira said it was worrying to note that most of these cases were organised crime with some of the accomplices coming from different organisations including Government departments, which are instead supposed to be safeguarding the country’s assets.

“Vehicles being found at some crime scenes are registered with the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) but with no traceable details of the owners, including the name or address, hence, investigations must be done in many departments.

“Accomplices are suspected to be within Zesa and even at the borders as it sounds impossible for the suspects to easily sneak through the borders undetected with heavily loaded vehicles to neighbouring countries.

“Suspects are always found with full equipment, which includes Zesa work suits, equipment, tools and vehicles, a sign that someone is funding them.

“Clearly, this is neatly organised crime,” said Mr Gwasira.

He said despite the current mandatory 10-year sentence for vandalising and theft of the utility’s infrastructure, offenders continue with illicit activities adding that the criminal elements should be charged with treason as their crimes were tantamount to economic sabotage.

“Theft and vandalism should be considered treasonous and deserve an even stiffer penalty as the damage is now beyond control and has reached alarming levels,” said Mr Gwasira. — @winnie_masara

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