Villagers, Police Bust Zesa Transformer Thieves

Lloyd Ndemo

The Zimbabwe Republic Police, together with local villagers from Mutawatawa in Zimbabwe’s Mashonaland East province have busted an electricity cables and transformers theft syndicate that was terrorizing the area.

Three suspects linked to 20 theft cases involving electricity transformers and cables worth an estimated 150 thousand Zimbabwe dollars were arrested in the raid.

Mashonaland East provincial police spokesperson Inspector Simon Chazovachii confirmed the arrest to ZTN.

“Police in Mutawatawa, together with community members, arrested three suspects for allegedly vandalising Zesa transformers and stealing electricity cables worth an estimated value of 156 thousand dollars,” said Inspector Chazovachii.

Inspector Chazovachii further applauded the Mutawatawa community for their continued support in fighting crime in Mashonaland East province.

“It should be noted that this arrest was made successful by the community that continue to give police tip-offs on any suspicious characters in the area. Other communities should emulate such noble actions.”

ZTN caught up with national assembly representative for Uzumba constituency, Simbaneuta Mudarikwa who advocated for stiffer punishment for criminals who vandalise electricity and telecommunications equipment.

“We are happy that these criminals have been arrested and as a legislator l will push for laws that will see such criminals being imprisoned for more than 40 years,” Mudarikwa said.

One of the villagers who helped police bust the syndicate said their community will continue to work hand in hand with police in combating crime.