Load shedding jackpot for thieves

Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
DARING thieves are now targeting equipment belonging to power company, Zesa, such as transformers and cables every time the power utility carries out load shedding and there will be no live power, it has been learnt.

The thieves are now reportedly monitoring power shedding schedules and scout for possible targets, especially transformers.

Zesa public relations manager Mr Fullard Gwasira confirmed the reports, saying that more equipment had been vandalised and stolen since load shedding was introduced.

“There has been a rise in criminal activity, where criminals are targeting neighbourhoods or areas that would be experiencing load shedding.

It is such a pity to note that some of our countrymen are taking advantage of a dire situation and are using it to enrich themselves through illegal means,’ said Mr Gwasira.

He said the power company needs US$15 million to replace vandalised equipment to eliminate unscheduled power cuts in the country. He said thousands of households in the country were without electricity due to theft and vandalism of property.

“I want to warn those stealing and vandalising property that electricity is dangerous. Everyone should treat equipment and cables as live.

Even during a power cut it should be treated with caution. People can be electrocuted. Electricity comes without warning and it is very dangerous,” said Mr Gwasira.

He said the power company was now working with various stakeholders to prevent further cases of theft and vandalism.

“We are working with police and many other stakeholders that include communities. Not everyone is stealing and this has raised much concern. Last year alone, we lost US$5 million due to vandalism of infrastructure, primarily theft of copper cables. We lose a lot of revenue and it becomes difficult to work on new projects and develop the country when we have to keep on replacing vandalised equipment,” said Mr Gwasira.

In another report Mr Gwasira said cable thieves were now cutting down poles or burning them to access power lines.

“We are battling veld fires and deforestation as a result of the actions of these copper cable thieves,” he said.

Reports suggest that stolen copper cables are melted and then smuggled to markets such as South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia where a tonne of the metal can fetch as much as US$30 000.