Chronicle Editor
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
TO permanently cut off copper cable thieves, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) is stepping up its fight against vandalism and theft with a nationwide project. The audacious programme aims to replace copper cables with aluminium, putting these criminals out of business for good.
Last year alone, Zesa reported a staggering number of incidents: 1 569 cases of vandalism and theft, with copper specifically targeted in 1 127 of those. These acts of destruction resulted in significant financial losses for the power utility, totalling over US$3 million. Copper theft itself amounted to over US$1 million, while vandalism of transformers caused an additional US$1 million-plus in damage.
Fortunately, 172 arrests were made in 2023, and 33 cases secured convictions, according to figures provided by Zesa Holdings’ communications department. Taking action, Zesa has subcontracted seven teams in Bulawayo to spearhead this crucial cable replacement project.
Four teams are tackling the western suburbs, while the remaining three address the eastern areas. This city-wide effort reflects Zesa’s commitment to ensuring reliable electricity access for residents and businesses throughout Zimbabwe.
“This is a nationwide programme which started back in 2014 and this year in April 2024 ZETDC (Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) engaged some contractors through its sister company Zesa Enterprises (Zent) in order to mop up all the outstanding areas in Western Region,” said Zesa.
Aluminium cables are of less value on the black market where copper cables find their way after being stripped off Zesa infrastructure.
“By using aluminium conductors, the aim is to reduce the incentive for theft and vandalism since criminals target the copper conductors. This can help mitigate the disruption and financial losses caused by frequent theft of copper conductors, which often leads to power outages and damages to electrical infrastructure.”
In the first quarter of 2024, ZETDC has lost US$220 128 to theft and vandalism in the Western Region alone. The power utility has so far harvested over 65 tonnes of copper in 2023 and the first-half of 2024.
“29 614 tonnes of copper was recovered in the year 2023 and 38,59 tonnes of copper has been recovered in the year 2024. The copper which has been retrieved by ZETDC is sent to Cafca where ZETDC gets aluminium conductors in exchange (barter trade),” added Zesa.
Cafca is a company that supplies cable and allied products for the transmission and distribution of electrical energy and information primarily in southern and central Africa.
A Chronicle news crew observed some of the teams subcontracted by Zesa hard at work in western suburbs such as Emakhandeni, Lobengula and Njube where residents welcomed the project to replace copper with aluminium cables.
“In the last two years, copper cable thieves have been wreaking havoc here in Lobengula suburb, stealing the cables in the middle of the night. The copper thefts used to be serious during load shedding and we would only know that the thieves have our area when other parts of Lobengula receive electricity supply.
“Let’s see what the copper thieves will steal now that Zesa is removing all the copper,” said Siphiwe Ndiweni of Lobengula suburb.
Driven by the constant threat of cable theft, residents in Emakhandeni suburb have taken matters into their own hands. Robust neighbourhood patrol teams patrol the streets nightly, a united front against would-be copper thieves.
Norman Sibanda, a dedicated member of the patrol, recounted numerous instances where they chased off suspicious vehicles lurking in the early morning hours.
“The guys (copper cable thieves) ran well co-ordinated operations because they had vehicles and ladders, which shows that they knew what they were doing and would go about their business in the middle of the night,” said Sibanda.
Online Reporter