Suspected thief dies at power transformer in Highf...

Suspected thief dies at power transformer in Highfield

“Rambo” as he was discovered at the scene

Michael Mashiri

A Highfield man died at a power transformer around 4 a.m Wednesday, with the community suspecting that he was up to no good.

Some residents described the deceased, identified as Rambo, as a thief with a drug habit, saying that stealing the gadget could have been his motive.

"They are thieves, they should be given hard sentences as we go, this one has already sentenced himself. What pains us is that he was young," one resident told Zim Now.

"What is causing these thefts is the need for crystal meth. If jobs were there, things would be better for these guys," a second resident said.

"To boys on drugs, they should desist from stealing Zesa cables," another resident said.

Most people who target power transformers will be after oil. Previous reports have indicated that the oil is sold to some food outlets who use it to fry chips claiming that it lasts longer and produces better offerings. Health experts have warned that consuming food cooked in the non-palatable oil is a hazard which can lead to higher incidences of life diseases like cancer.

Other residents at the scene said lack of security on Zesa transformers is a problem as that was not the first incident of theft.

"These areas must be properly secured. If the door is pushed, it can easily fall to the ground, so, they must ensure that there is maximum security. We appeal to Zesa that they secure these facilities. We have children that will be playing, some might want to experiment," several residents said.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC) has said that vandalism of the power utility's infrastructure by thieves is a nationwide headache.

Some residents said Rambo had tasted the fruits of his medicine.

"God has dealt with this man who stole from us, it's true the society and the country at large are struggling because of power shortages, but not for us to suffer because of one person."

"He has judged himself, to the mother and father of this one, may God comfort them."

Highfield East constituency Member of Parliament Hon. Eric Murai who visited the scene said the young people were stealing because they cannot live without 'mutoriro.'

"When they start taking drugs, they will do anything for US$1. Mutoriro is like sadza to them," he said.

He said people who lack community spirit are making life difficult for everyone in spite of national efforts to deliver better standards to all.

Approach to the place where the incident occurred

"We are ensuring that people have enough electricity, but people come and steal, a day before yesterday they stole a transformer near Highfield 1 High.

"Our transformers need to be safeguarded and we have managed to install security on six transformers, but we are still in the process," he said.

He highlighted that every Highfield resident has a responsibility of ownership on the transformers as they serve everyone.

Efforts to get confirmation of the incident from national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi were fruitless as his phone was not reachable while Harare provincial police spokesperson Inspector Luckmore Chakanza’s phone was not being picked.

No comment could be obtained from ZETDC by the time of writing this article.