Raymond Jaravaza, Zimpapers Reporter
A MAN believed to be in his early 30s was found dead with his body partly charred after he was allegedly electrocuted while attempting to steal copper cables from a transformer in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb in the early hours of Wednesday.
The man’s body was discovered outside a resident’s home, near the transformer he was reportedly trying to vandalise.
When a Zimpapers news crew arrived at the scene, Zimbabwe Republic Police officers were collecting the body.
Bulawayo police had not yet released the man’s identity by the time of publication.
Residents said copper cable theft and the theft of transformer oil were rampant in the suburb, with electricity supplies frequently disrupted by the suspected vandalism.
“Almost every week, a section of Cowdray Park goes dark after thieves steal copper cables or drain transformer oil. We are tired of these criminals who want to make a living while disrupting our lives,” said Mrs Londi Ngwenya.
Mr Givemore Murara, who sells chicken pieces, said power cuts caused by the alleged thefts affected his business, which depends on a reliable electricity supply.
“I sell chicken pieces for a living so I need uninterrupted electricity for my business but these electricity cable thieves are making our lives hard. I’m not celebrating the death of another human being but he should have known better than to try and steal electricity cables,” he said.
