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Kudzai Chikiwa, Chronicle Reporter
AN unidentified copper cables thief was electrocuted while attempting to cut Zesa cables in Bulawayo’s Burnside suburb yesterday morning.
The man, who had already cut 80 metres of copper cables, was electrocuted when power was restored while he was busy cutting the cables.
The body of the man, whose face was burnt beyond recognistion, has since been taken to United Bulawayo Hospital (UBH) mortuary.
Bulawayo acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident.
“I can confirm that an unidentified man was found hanging dead on a Zesa power line. The man was electrocuted while attempting to steal Zesa copper cables. The deceased who is believed to have been in the company of accomplices, took advantage of load shedding to steal the cables,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said Zesa officials were alerted by residents.
“Residents that saw the electrocuted man circulated the images on WhatsApp and also alerted Zesa officials as well as the police,” she said.
Asst Insp Msebele said the man did not have identity particulars on him.
She appealed to members of the public who might have information that might assist in identifying the deceased to contact any nearest police station.
Zesa officials had to enlist the services of the Bulawayo Fire Brigade to bring down the body.
The body was burnt on the back and face and there was a pair of pliers which the man was probably using to cut the cables.
Ass Insp Msebele warned members of the public against vandalising Zesa infrastructure.
“I urge members of public to refrain from vandalising Zesa infrastructure as this inconveniences both residents and businesses. Bulawayo has been hard hit by theft of copper cables and we urge members of the public to report such cases,” she said.
A Zesa official at the scene said in the past two weeks, the power utility lost 600 metres of copper cables at the same spot.
“For the past three weeks these people have been harvesting copper cables and they stole 600 metres on this same spot. It appears there is a big market for these cables hence an upsurge in cables thefts,” said the official. — @tamary98
Online Reporter