Four men were arrested in Mutoko, Mashonaland East this week for allegedly vandalising Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) transformers and stealing armoured cables at Mushimbo and Rukau Business Centres.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on their official X page, saying the suspects were apprehended at a roadblock on Harare-Nyamapanda Road on Monday. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Mutoko acted on received information and arrested Anderson Takawira alias Tatenda Vambe (30) , Isaac Vheremu (38), Trymore Bona (30) and Archford Chiyangwa (25) at a roadblock along Harare Nyamapanda Road on 27/01/25 in connection with vandalism of a ZETDC transformer and theft of armoured cables.
The arrest led to the recovery of the suspects’ getaway car, a Toyota Aqua , reg number AGF 9536, bolts, nuts, two scales , spanners, a knife and armoured cables.
The suspects are being linked to a case of vandalism of a ZETDC transformer at Mushimbo Business Centre where transformer oil was stolen on 27/01/25 and a case of theft of ZETDC copper cables at Rukau Business Centre, Mutoko on 27/01/25 where a transformer was vandalised before armoured cables were stolen.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Caleb Chivhanga (25) of Chinhoyi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing 0.85g of copper without a license, in violation of the Copper Control Act [Chapter 14:06].
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chivhanga was found with bundled copper wire on January 1, 2025, at Musakwa Village in Chinhoyi.

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Four men were caught by police in Mutoko for breaking transformers and stealing cables from ZETDC. The men were arrested at a roadblock and their car, tools, and stolen cables were found. They were linked to stealing transformer oil and copper cables from two different places. The suspects are now in trouble for their crimes.

Four Suspects Held In Mutoko For ZETDC Transformer Vandalism And Cable Theft

Community members successfully thwarted the theft of a ZESA transformer at Max Village in Vengere, Rusape, on Christmas Day, thereby preventing another prolonged blackout in the area.
The would-be vandals, believed to be the same gang responsible for stealing a transformer at the same site just months ago, fled into the darkness, leaving the transformer intact after realising they had been seen.
Their previous heist had plunged the whole of Rusape into darkness for almost a month.
Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, spokesperson for the ZRP in Manicaland Province, confirmed the incident and commended the alert community members for preventing the potential vandalization of the transformer. Said Chinyoka (via <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/new-thieves-foiled-in-attempt-to-steal-zesa-transformer-in-rusape/">The Manica Post</a>):
<blockquote>
On December 25 around 3 AM, police received a tip-off about potential thieves targeting a transformer at Max Village, Vengere.
Thanks to swift action from the Officer in Charge at Rusape Central and active community members, police arrived promptly and thwarted the attempted theft.
We urge everyone to remain cautious and look out for one another, especially during this festive season when thieves often take advantage of the celebratory atmosphere.
As a result of the swift action the would-be vandals were chased away, and the transformer was saved. 
The community’s prompt response has ensured that Vengere will enjoy an uninterrupted power supply this festive season.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

In Rusape, community members stopped thieves from stealing a ZESA transformer on Christmas Day. The thieves ran away when they were spotted, avoiding a blackout like the one they caused before. The police and community worked together to prevent the theft. The police thanked the community for their quick help. Now, the village will have power during the holidays. Everyone is reminded to be careful, especially during celebrations when thieves might try to steal things. The people in Rusape worked together to keep their electricity and stop the thieves.

Quick-Thinking Locals Foil Transformer Theft In Rusape

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has bought 4 000 transformers to replace those that have been vandalised across the country, an official has said.
Speaking in Concession this week during a stakeholder outreach programme, acting managing director Howard Choga also said the company intends to buy 1 000 new service vehicles.
Choga revealed that critical institutions, including clinics and schools, will be prioritised in the installation of the transformers. <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/4-000-new-zesa-transformers-to-light-up-more-areas/">The Herald</a> quoted Choga as saying:
<blockquote>
We are replacing these transformers in areas that are identified and prioritised by the local leadership.
We are starting with areas where a majority of people benefit like schools and clinics.
We are also grappling with shortages of service vehicles. Early last year, we agreed that 2 000 vehicles are sufficient to operate efficiently.
We have committed to buying more than 1 000 vehicles but owing to global challenges in shipment, it is difficult.
However, 30 of our vehicles have so far been placed on production lines in South Africa.
</blockquote>
He urged consumers with vandalised transformers to inform their nearest ZESA depot.

ZESA Has Bought 4 000 Transformers, Says Official

A 21-year-old man from Bulawayo’s Luveve suburb was arrested by the police and charged with negligent driving after he rammed into an electricity pole and damaged a transformer.
Luveve suburb was plunged into darkness after the transformer was severely damaged so much that it has to be replaced.
The man, Ngqabutho Sibanda, who was on a joyride, is yet to provide the police with his driver’s licence.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson in Bulawayo Metropolitan Province, Inspector Abednico Ncube confirmed the incident. He said:
<blockquote>
We confirm that accident, what we know is that it was a sole part, Ngqabutho Sibanda aged 21 years who is yet to produce a driver’s license.
</blockquote>
Insp Ncube said Sibanda was driving along an unknown road in Old Luveve when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a transformer.
The three passengers were injured and taken to Mpilo Central Hospital for treatment.
Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Acting Western Region General Manager Lloyd Jaji said affected residents will be without power for some time. He said:
<blockquote>
The structure was totally damaged so we have to supply a new structure.
It is difficult to tell when people will have electricity because we will have to buy material because we did not have the material in stock so we have to get material first and install it, it’s like we are starting from scratch.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://cite.org.zw/stolen-car-crashes-into-electricity-pole-plunges-suburb-into-darkness/">CITE</a></h4>

Stolen Car Crashes Into Electricity Transformer, Plunges Suburb Into Darkness

ZESA has said that vandalism is costing it an average of 5 transformers every night. ZESA Holdings’ Group Stakeholder Relations Manager Fullard Gwasira said onn Twitter today that the national power utility is unable to replace the transformers at such a rate.
Said Gwasira:
<blockquote>We are losing an average 5 transformers every night. The rate is faster than we are able to replace. Be vigilant and report to the police any suspicious activities
<figure aria-describedby="caption-attachment-133130" class="wp-caption aligncenter" id="attachment_133130" style="width: 675px"><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vandalised-Transformer.jpg"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-133130" decoding="async" height="900" loading="lazy" sizes="(max-width: 675px) 100vw, 675px" src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vandalised-Transformer.jpg" srcset="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vandalised-Transformer.jpg 675w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vandalised-Transformer-225x300.jpg 225w, https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vandalised-Transformer-600x800.jpg 600w" width="675"/></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text" id="caption-attachment-133130">A vandalised ZESA electricity transformer</figcaption></figure></blockquote>
More: <a href="https://twitter.com/GwasiraFullard/status/1184347231329148929">Fullard Gwasira on Twitter</a>

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