Cable theft crisis at Mpilo Central Hospital

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, [email protected] 

RAMPANT theft and vandalism of electricity cables supplying power to Mpilo Central Hospital in Bulawayo have placed patients’ lives in grave danger,

Speaking during the funeral service of the late broadcaster, Ms Zvikomborero Sibanda, in Mpopoma on Monday, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube expressed her distress after hospital authorities informed her last Friday that the institution had been without electricity for two days. 

The situation has put immense pressure on the hospital’s backup generators and financial resources, raising concerns about the safety of critical medical procedures. 

“Last Friday, I was informed that Mpilo Central Hospital had no electricity due to vandalised cables. Hospital staff warned that this could result in loss of lives, as surgeries and other critical operations could be underway when power cuts occur,” she said.

“Please, Bulawayo omuhle, bantwabethu, I beg you, let us not engage in such destructive acts that endanger lives.” 

Minister Ncube called for stronger community vigilance and co-operation with law enforcement to curb the destructive practice, urging residents to report any suspicious activity and help protect critical infrastructure.

The hospital’s director of operations, Mr Phineas Sithole, highlighted the severe impact of erratic power supplies on hospital operations, saying the facility’s backup generators, which are intended for emergency use, had become the primary power source, significantly increasing diesel costs.

“We have 10 generators, all meant as standby power sources. However, due to the inconsistent power supply, they are now functioning as our main power source, which is financially unsustainable, given the high cost of diesel,” he said.

Mr Sithole said the situation reached a critical point last week when the hospital went without power for two days, forcing officials to escalate the matter to Minister Ncube as a matter of urgency.

“Our backup system is operational, but it is meant for emergencies, not as the main power supply. We also have a functional solar system, but it is not yet connected to the hospital’s main power grid. Currently, it only supports the laboratories,” he explained.

Mpilo Central Hospital and the United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) are part of the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s Solar for Health initiative, developed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). However, full integration of the solar system into the hospital’s grid is not yet complete.

Each of the 10 generators consumes approximately 300 litres of diesel per day, amounting to 3 000 litres daily. At a cost of US$1,60 per litre, the hospital requires about US$4 800 per day to sustain operations, placing a significant financial burden on the institution.

Despite Government measures imposing a minimum jail term of 10 years for copper cable theft, the crime continues to be a menace. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) reported that between January and October last year, the utility lost over US$2 million worth of electricity transmission and distribution equipment to theft and vandalism.

Statistics from Zesa indicate that nearly 30 tonnes of copper conductors worth US$600 000 and 10 tonnes of aluminium conductors valued at over US$100 000 were stolen within the review period. Additionally, 1 543 litres of transformer oil, valued at US$7 700, were siphoned by thieves, while 136 transformers, which are critical components of the electricity grid, were vandalised, causing losses of over US$840 000.

In a more daring act of sabotage, criminals targeted bolts and nuts from high-voltage pylons, leading to damages exceeding US$4 300. In total, Zesa recorded 1 317 cases of theft and vandalism.

Efforts to combat these crimes have led to the arrest of 76 individuals, with 24 convictions recorded so far. The convicted offenders have collectively been sentenced to 171 years and four months in prison, while others have been fined.

Despite these measures, authorities continue to grapple with persistent vandalism, which not only disrupts essential services but also puts thousands of lives at risk.