The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO is the worst affected by theft of Zesa property and equipment, with reports that the power company has so far lost property worth more than US$2 million.
Zesa public relations manager Mr Fullard Gwasira said theft and vandalism of the power company equipment had become rampant, particularly in Bulawayo.
“Property is being vandalised, Zesa property is vandalised. Last year alone we lost property worth US$4,2 million. This year we have lost US$2 million,” said Mr Gwasira.
He attributed the thefts and vandalism to economic challenges being faced by the country, as well as unemployment.
“There are qualified technicians and electricians roaming the streets and you find that those people vandalise property. We have qualified electricians who are roaming the streets and are jobless, so you will find that those are the people who vandalise property because they have the knowledge and experience on how to operate around electrical gadgets,” said Mr Gwasira.
Mr Gwasira said it was evident that the thefts were organised crimes and syndicates. He alleged that there were people that had resorted to masquerading as ZETDC workers with branded uniforms.
“We have no Zesa employees that have been arrested or prosecuted on charges of tampering with the power company’s property. But there are people that masquerade as ZETDC employees and those are the ones that are vandalising and stealing property,” said Mr Gwasira.
He added theft and vandalism of infrastructure was crippling the parastatal operations.
“Due to these thefts we have had to substitute copper with aluminium. However, it too is being targeted by thieves. This is a great threat to national development and we all need to work together in preventing further theft and vandalism.
“We urge people to report thieves to the nearest police station. These thefts are occurring not just in one city but across the country,” said Mr Gwasira.
The rampant theft and vandalism of Zesa infrastructure has resulted in some areas going for months without electricity, affecting various projects and urban farmers.
@peterkmatika
