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.

Pindula News

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 Supply Authority (ZESA) lost over US$2 million worth of electricity transmission and distribution equipment to theft and vandalism between January and October of this year, reported <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/us2m-zesa-equipment-lost-to-theft">The Sunday Mail</a>.
The power utility reported that nearly 30 tonnes of copper conductors, valued at US$600,000, and 10 tonnes of aluminium conductors, worth US$103,000, were stolen during this period.
In addition, thieves siphoned off 1,543 litres of transformer oil, valued at US$7,700. A total of 136 transformers, critical to the electricity transmission process, were vandalised, resulting in losses of US$848,558.
Vandals also targeted bolts and nuts from high-voltage pylons, causing damages exceeding US$4,300.
In total, ZESA recorded 1,317 incidents of theft and vandalism, amounting to a staggering US$2,163,207 in losses.
Harare Region saw 12 transformers worth US$114,200 vandalised, alongside the theft of 5,895 kilograms of copper conductors valued at US$11,790.
The Northern Region (which includes Chinhoyi, Kadoma, and Bindura) reported losses of US$607,250, including the destruction of 43 transformers valued at US$378,000.
The Eastern Region, covering Manicaland and parts of Masvingo provinces, experienced equipment thefts totalling US$190,810, including 23 transformers worth US$99,058.
The Western Region, including Bulawayo and parts of Matabeleland, suffered losses of US$742,106. 
The Southern Region, covering parts of Masvingo, Gweru, and Kwekwe, incurred damages of US$157,824.
The rise in thefts and vandalism has been attributed, in part, to prolonged power outages, which have made ZESA infrastructure vulnerable.
With power supply disrupted in some areas, criminals have found it easier to steal essential components, further exacerbating the country’s energy crisis.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA, the power company in Zimbabwe, lost over US$2 million because of theft and vandalism in 10 months. Thieves stole copper and aluminum conductors, transformer oil, transformers, bolts, and nuts. The thefts and vandalism caused a total of 1,317 incidents, leading to huge losses for ZESA. Different regions in Zimbabwe, like Harare, Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern, all suffered losses. The increase in theft and vandalism is linked to frequent power outages, making ZESA's equipment more vulnerable. This problem is making the country's energy crisis worse.

Theft And Vandalism Cost ZESA Over US$2 Million In 10 Months

A suspected thief has allegedly been electrocuted after a lifeless body was found in a structure that houses a ZESA transformer in Harare’s Highfield suburb.
<a href="https://zbcnews.co.zw/2022/12/07/zesa-thief-electrocuted-in-highfield/">ZBC News reported</a> that a huge explosion was heard in the neighbourhood in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
At that very moment, darkness plunged the area as lights went off unexpectedly, prompting residents to investigate the incident.
They proceeded to the transformer site where they found the dead body of a man with some tools next to it.
The suspected copper cable thief was apparently electrocuted before accomplishing his mission.
However, residents are worried they are likely to have a bleak festive season given the huge blast on the transformer that could be a sign of a serious fault.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) was yet to confirm the incident.

Vandalism Latest News

Latest Jobs