Parly approves Electricity Amendment Bill with har...

Parly approves Electricity Amendment Bill with harsher penalties

Zim Now Writer

The National Assembly has approved the Electricity Amendment Bill, which introduces harsher penalties for the illegal abstraction or diversion of electricity and removes the option to pay a fine, except in special cases.

Clause 3 introduces heavier penalties for the transportation of material used in electricity generation, transmission, distribution or supply, and removes the option to pay a fine. Instead, a person convicted of such a crime will be liable to a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment.

However, the Court can consider special circumstances that might justify a lesser penalty. The Bill aims to discourage illegal activities related to electricity and promote the sustainable supply of electricity in the country.

Electricity property theft remains a significant problem in Zimbabwe, with copper cables being a common target due to their high value on the black market.

Most of the stolen cables find their way into neighbouring South Africa where they are shipped to other countries that use metal in construction and manufacturing.

Theft of copper cables from power and telecommunications infrastructure has led to power cuts and communication disruptions while vandalism on power infrastructure such as transformers and cables has also significantly contributed to power cuts across the country.