ZESA EMPLOYEES STEAL US$3.8 MILLION CRITICAL EQUIPMENT: Heist Captured on CCTV

THE Zimbabwean Labour Act [Chapter 28.01] sets a number of fair labour practices and standards

B-Metro Reporter

TWO senior employees at the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), a subsidiary of Zesa, in Hwange have been dragged before the courts over a US$3 896 000 theft scandal involving massive power plant equipment and materials.
Tawanda Mhaka and Ruth Chiyani were arrested after investigators uncovered what they described as a “carefully orchestrated inside job” that saw tonnes of critical equipment spirited out of ZPC premises.

Their alleged accomplice, Hardlife Zimwenje, is still on the run.
According to a statement from the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the heist took place between 22 and 23 August 2025 and was caught on CCTV at the Turbine Hall.

“The footage showed a truck loading stolen goods, which included 15 electric motors, 48 tonnes of brass pipes, and a metal container, all without proper documentation,” the NPAZ said.
Chiyani, who was a Loss Control Assistant, allegedly supervised the illegal operation but could not produce a single invoice for the movement of the items.

Mhaka, a Stores Officer, allegedly gave direct instructions to a boilermaker to cut up one of the electric motors and a storage container to make them easier to load.
The loot was ferried away using haulage trucks allegedly hired by Zimwenje.

The NPAZ revealed that the case is backed by overwhelming evidence.
“The evidence against the accused persons is substantial, including CCTV footage and removal authority documents signed by the pair,” the statement read.

The two were nabbed on 11 September and have since been remanded in custody to 26 September.
The NPAZ warned that those entrusted with national assets would not be spared if they abused their positions.

“Economic sabotage will be thoroughly investigated and those responsible will face serious consequences,” the authority said.
The case has sparked outrage in Hwange, with many questioning how such a massive haul could leave a State power station without being detected sooner.