adminMidlands Reporter
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company says 30,000km of copper cables valued at nearly $180,000 have been stolen so far this year in the country’s southern region.As a result, ZETDC, a subsidiary of Zesa, has been replacing copper cables with aluminium ones as a way of curbing vandalism of its infrastructure in a project that started in January this year.
ZETDC general manager, Southern Region, Engineer King Dube, said the project is on track and has covered 65 percent of the region so far.
Aluminium was said to be of a lesser value and does not have a ready market in Zimbabwe and South Africa like copper.
“The programme is progressing well. However, the challenge we have is that we are not moving with speed. We are not replacing the cables as fast as we want to because at times we have difficulties obtaining the aluminium. We are, however, trying our best under the circumstances,” he said.
The project, which covers the whole country, has been initiated to subdue the high wave of copper cable theft that has affected most parts of the country.
Eng Dube said the Southern Region has this year alone lost 29,382km worth of copper cables. He said the cables were lost in 11 reported cases of copper theft and their value was put at $176,700.
Eng Dube said most of the copper thieves resell their loot in South Africa where there is a ready market.
He said: “Copper has a ready market unlike aluminium hence the change. Stealing copper cables is not only dangerous but a serious offence punishable under the Electricity Amendment Act Number 8/07. Those caught breaking this law face a jail sentence of 10 years or more.”
He went on to point out that copper thefts not only cost Zesa revenue but the consumers are forced to stay in the dark.
Online Reporter