Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
Vandalism of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa)’s key infrastructure cost the power utility over US$900 000 during the first three months of the year.
It also led to unnecessary power outages.
In an interview, Zesa general manager for stakeholder relations, communications and welfare Dr George Manyaya said over 500 cases of vandalism were reported during the period.
“This is a worrying increase against 2021, where over 1 200 cases were recorded for the whole year,” he said.
Zesa, he says, has put in place measures to safeguard its infrastructure, including ‘target hardening’, which involves strengthening security around transformers.
“We are also going to employ the use of technology in an anti-vandalism campaign through surveillance systems, anti-intrusion technology and joint anti-vandalism community engagement, amongst other measures.
“There is also lobbying for statutory amendments, including amendment of the Copper Control Act to provide punitive sentences and lobbying for a review of regulations on dealing with scrap metal, including withdrawal of export licences,” he said.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter