Copper cable thefts cost Zesa US4m annually

Zim Now Writer

Power utility Zesa Holdings says it is losing US$4 million annually as a result of cable thefts, a development that is affecting the firm’s ability to ensure uninterrupted power supply in the process affecting national development.

The availability of a ready market for copper within and outside the country has led to the rise in cable thefts, which have resulted in some places going for prolonged periods without power while some communities have had to purchase replacements from their own pockets.

In such situations, Zesa then reimburses the communities by providing them with electricity equivalent to the amount they would have used.

“As an entity we are losing approximately US$4 million worth of copper cables to theft around the country.

“We urge people to desist from destroying electricity infrastructure as this is a criminal offence,” said Zesa Holdings in a statement.

“Various cases have been reported and perpetrators arrested, and it is unfortunate that this theft of cables is affecting socio-economic development,” said the power utility.

Currently, copper cable theft in the country attracts a mandatory jail term of not less than 10 years as efforts are being made to protect power generation, distribution and also communications.

Zesa Holdings, the National Railways of Zimbabwe as well as TelOne have been lobbying for sentences that are stiffer than this, while strengthening their internal security systems through the acquisition of advanced equipment such as drones to counter cable thieves.

In 2021 alone, 1 237 cases of vandalism and theft of copper cables worth thousands of dollars were reported by the power utility. Also, more than 30 transformers were stolen during the same period.

Prolonged blackouts not only affect domestic power consumers but reduce productivity and therefore national development.