Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, said that the power utility, ZESA Holdings, has lost 6,000 transformers countrywide to thieves, making it difficult for the company to effectively deliver on its mandate.
Responding to Murehwa South legislator Noah Mangondo (ZANU PF) during a Question-and-Answer session, Moyo said the country currently doesn’t have the capacity to manufacture enough electricity transformers to replace those that have been stolen. He said:
<blockquote>
The main problem we are facing is vandalism of infrastructure, and as we speak, 6,000 transformers were stolen countrywide. We have no capacity locally to produce enough to replace them timeously.
For the wooden poles, the policy we now have is that we replace them with concrete ones which are more durable.
</blockquote>
Mangondo had demanded to know the government’s policy on replacing damaged or vandalised electricity transmission infrastructure for learning institutions and health centres, which sometimes go months without power.
According to a recent report, ZESA reported losing over US$2 million in equipment to theft and vandalism between January and October 2024.
The power utility detailed the theft of nearly 30 tonnes of copper conductors worth US$600,000 and 10 tonnes of aluminum conductors valued at US$103,000. 
Additionally, 1,543 litres of transformer oil worth US$7,700 were stolen, and 136 transformers sustained damage costing US$848,558. Vandals also removed bolts and nuts from high-voltage pylons, leading to damages over US$4,300.
In total, ZESA recorded 1,317 incidents of theft and vandalism, resulting in losses of US$2,163,207.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/energy-minister-says-zimbabwe-has-lost-6000-transformers-to-vandalism/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Pindula News

The Energy Minister said that ZESA has lost 6,000 transformers to thieves which is making it hard for the company to provide electricity. The country doesn't have enough transformers to replace the stolen ones. The thieves are also causing damage to other equipment like power lines and oil. This has cost ZESA over $2 million. The government is trying to come up with ways to prevent these thefts and vandalism. Schools and hospitals are sometimes left without power because of these thefts.

Energy Minister Says ZESA Has Lost 6,000 Transformers To Thieves

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

Energy and Power Development Minister Zhemu Soda said that members of the public who assist ZESA workers to come and fix faults in their neighborhoods are not forced to do so.
Reports claim that ZESA customers across the country are sometimes asked to contribute various amounts of money to enable ZESA to attend to their faults.
According to <a href="https://openparly.com/people-voluntarily-assist-zesa-no-one-is-forced-says-govt/">Open Parly</a>, some ZESA customers have contributed towards buying transformers, transformer oil and other service parts.
The issue was recently raised in the National Assembly by Makoni Central MP, David Tekeshe (MDC Alliance).
In his response, Soda said people who help ZESA do so voluntarily without any kind of compulsion. He said:
<blockquote>
That is not Government policy where people are now expected to buy fuel and donate their cars for ZESA technicians to use for repairs or any work related to electricity. This is witnessed especially from farmers.
The farmers kindly ask for technicians to come and assist them by sending transport so that they immediately attend to their problem because sometimes they are told that technicians would have gone out to attend to other faults.
What is happening now is that any technician who volunteers to do such a job, they are supposed to sign a document that they are volunteering to offer those services as well as fuel to ZESA and this is for accountability purposes.
People are not forced to do that but they do it voluntarily. What is happening right now is, those who volunteer to assist ZESA are supposed to complete those documents and there should be supervision to ensure that work is properly done.
Sometimes ZESA workers may also go to ZESA and claim that they used their own fuel after being given that fuel by the customer. I thank you.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Minister Soda Says Households, Businesses That Assist ZESA Do So Voluntarily

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.

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