53 people arrested over NRZ thefts

Zim Now Writer

The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ)’s loss control department has recorded 27 theft cases in the last two months, resulting in 53 people being arrested and property worth US$16 925 being lost.

In a statement, NRZ public affairs and stakeholder relations manager Andrew Kunambura said the stolen property included copper cables, wagon components, ballast (quarry used to stabilise rail), steel sleepers and transformer components.

“Seven of the arrested persons were convicted and received varying sentences ranging from fines to prison terms. Fifteen other cases are still pending at the courts while five are under investigation,” said Kunambura.

He said the parastatal was pleased with the courts’ stance in ensuring that rail infrastructure, a key driver to the nation’s vision, was protected from thievery.

“Theft of NRZ components, however small, can have a significant impact on the organisation’s operations as trains cannot pass over sections with missing rail parts which can also lead to derailments.

He added that one of the arrested persons, Jeffrey Zulu was sentenced to 10 years in jail for stealing transformer components worth US$600 and his case is one of the 27 recorded ones.

Recently, NRZ general manager Respina Zinyanduko said that the parastatal had capacitated its loss control division through the acquisition of more vehicles, motorbikes as well as drones, resulting in recoveries of stolen equipment reaching almost 100 percent.