The National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) says it has spent nearly US$1 million replacing vandalised and stolen equipment and rail components, with illegal gold miners and copper cable thieves the main culprits.

NRZ public affairs and stakeholder relations manager Andrew Kunambura was quoted as saying:

The impact of the destruction of NRZ infrastructure has been costly in terms of financial outlays for replacing the stolen and vandalised materials and equipment.

It is estimated that the organisation has spent more than US$1 million to replace the material or equipment that has been vandalised or stolen.

Kunambura said the vandalism and theft of the company’s infrastructure have disturbed communication and the smooth movement of trains. He said:

Just like other utilities, NRZ has become a victim of criminality, which ranges from general theft of copper cables, theft of rail components, and wanton destruction of rail setups or formations, particularly the removal of ballast and unwarranted digging near and across the railway line by illegal miners.

The impact of such theft has culminated in train communication challenges and hindered the smooth movement of trains across the whole system.

Most of the affected lines were Harare-Bindura-Shamva; Kadoma-Eiffel Flats; Gweru-Kwekwe; Gweru-Shangani; Somabhula-Zvishavane; and Bulawayo-Gwanda.

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