Criminals strip Mpilo doctors’ quarters of copper pipes, cables

THE recently reconstructed Mpilo Central Hospital junior doctors’ residence quarters are under siege from criminals who are stripping copper pipes, electrical cables and other critical infrastructure, threatening hospital operations and the welfare of staff.

The doctors’ quarters were rebuilt and upgraded two-and-a-half years ago following a series of destructive fires at the referral hospital in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Junior doctors moved back into the complex in May 2023 after extensive rehabilitation works were completed.

However, since their occupation, the facility has been repeatedly targeted by criminals who are stealing copper piping connected to solar geyser systems, brass taps and electrical components, which are believed to be sold to scrap metal dealers.

Mpilo acting operations director Mr Phineas Sithole said the vandalism has been persistent and costly.
“We are battling serious theft of copper pipes, electricity cables and anything of value.

“Of major concern is that the doctors’ quarters have been stripped of copper pipes several times. We are now forced to replace them with PVC pipes to avoid further theft and inconvenience to our doctors,” he said.

During a tour of the facility, Mr Sithole showed the Zimpapers news crew damaged and broken piping where copper fittings had been forcibly removed.

He said the criminals were likely operating as a co-ordinated syndicate after a section of the hospital’s palisade perimeter fence was cut to gain access to the premises.

The vandalism has also extended beyond the residential area, with criminals breaking into the hospital laundry where they stole specialised electrical cables and vandalised switchboards, disrupting the washing of patients’ linen.

“A contractor was replacing window frames when criminals took advantage of the works to break into the laundry room,” said Mr Sithole.

He warned that the theft of critical infrastructure directly endangered patients while diverting already scarce resources away from essential services.

“Instead of channelling funds towards medicines and medical supplies, we are forced to repair damage caused by criminals,” he said.

Mpilo has previously suffered similar attacks.

Last year, thieves broke into a Zesa Holdings substation supplying electricity to the hospital, forcing the institution to rely solely on diesel powered generators.
At the height of the power crisis, the hospital was operating 10 generators consuming about 300 litres of diesel each per day, costing approximately US$4 800 daily and placing immense strain on hospital operations.