Vandals cost NRZ US$1m

Sunday Mail Reporter

THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has spent nearly US$1 million replacing vandalised and stolen equipment and rail components, with illegal gold miners and copper cable thieves accounting for the bulk of the costs.

NRZ public affairs and stakeholder relations manager Mr Andrew Kunambura said: “The impact of the destruction of NRZ infrastructure has been costly in terms of financial outlays for replacing the stolen and vandalised materials and equipment.

“It is estimated that the organisation has spent more than US$1 million to replace the material or equipment that has been vandalised or stolen.”

He said there was an increase in incidences of copper cable theft and vandalism of railway lines by illegal gold miners.

As a result, vandalism and theft have resulted in serious communication challenges, which are disturbing the smooth movement of trains.

“Just like other utilities, NRZ has become a victim of criminality, which ranges from general theft of copper cables, theft of rail components, wanton destruction of rail setups or formations, particularly the removal of ballast and unwarranted digging near and across the railway line by illegal miners. The impact of such theft has culminated in train communication challenges and hindered smooth movement of trains across the whole system,” he said.

Most of the affected lines were Harare-Bindura-Shamva; Kadoma-Eiffel Flats; Gweru-Kwekwe; Gweru-Shangani; Somabhula-Zvishavane; and Bulawayo-Gwanda.

“Illegal gold miners are digging holes and tunnels that cut across the railway lines.

“The effect of such destruction are increased derailments and accidents.”

Mr Kunambura said there was also a rise in theft of ballast along railway lines.

Ballast is a layer of crushed stone or gravel that is placed on top of the subgrade and under the railroad ties.

It provides support for the ties and tracks, and it also helps to drain water away from the tracks.

“The NRZ is also experiencing theft of ballast along the railway network,” he continued.

“Such ballast is used to construct houses and some taken with the belief of extracting gold ore from it.

“This is particularly frequent on the Harare-Bindura and Shamva line, and the Kadoma-Eiffel Flats line.

“The effect of such theft results in potential derailments and train accidents.

“Due to the proliferation of scrap dealing, we have witnessed a rise in the theft of scrap in our yards throughout the system.

“To ameliorate the dire situation, there is need for scrap dealers to be regulated so that they apply due diligence when procuring such scrap.”

Between January and December last year, NRZ dealt with 52 cases of copper theft and 49 related to the destruction of rail properties.

NRZ lost properties valued at US$184 514.

Between January and October, the NRZ handled 27 cases of theft and vandalism.