Chronicle Editor
Sheronrose Mugombi, [email protected]
THE National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) has incorporated drones in monitoring railway infrastructure, leading to the arrest of four women who were vandalising the railway line by digging coal ash used to strengthen the rail formation.
High-end drones captured videos of the women compromising the structural integrity of the railway line along Msasa in Harare and NRZ security guards rushed to the scene to arrest them.
Railway lines that pass over swampy areas are underpinned with charcoal that absorbs moisture and keeps them stable.
Vandals often dig up the charcoal for resale.
The NRZ loses millions of dollars every year to replace vandalised equipment and this severely affects The NRZ has recently lost US$17 000 due to vandalism cases. In some cases the culprits are arrested, like Lazarus Shereni andknowledge Maguve who were jailed for 10 years each.
THE four women appeared at Harare Magistrate Court and they were each jailed five years.
In a statement on X, the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) said they have arrested Ethel Jonasi, Priscila Mazvarihafa, Aruna Chimedza and Tatenda Mashingaidze who were captured by drones along Msasa in Harare. As a matter of clarification, the four women were actually digging coal ash along the line, which amounts to vandalism, a serious offense in terms of Zimbabwean laws.
“The coal ash was used to strengthen the rail formation as it passed through a swampy area. As a matter of clarification, the four women were actually digging coal ash along the line, which amounts to vandalism, a serious offense in terms of Zimbabwean laws. The coal ash was used to strengthen the rail formation as it passed through a swampy area”.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter