Harare, (New Ziana) – Vandalism of electricity infrastructure has reached alarming levels, with the ZESA subsidiary the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC ) losing 6 000 transformers to theft, leading to unplanned power outages across the country, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Responding to questions in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Energy and Power Development Minister July Moyo said the theft of transformers has become a major cause of disruptions in the power supply chain.
Moyo explained that vandalism not only results in significant losses, but also causes widespread power interruptions with the ZETDC in 2023 alone, reporting losses totaling $750 000 due to theft and damage to infrastructure.
“There are several factors contributing to power supply breakdowns, with transformer theft being a leading cause. Currently, we have lost 6 000 transformers nationwide. Given that we manufacture only a limited number of transformers locally, the ongoing theft and vandalism often leaves us with insufficient stock to replace the stolen units,” he said.
He said in addition to transformer theft, wooden electricity poles which carry the power lines, have become problematic due to termite damage.
Moyo said the government is now working to replace the wooden poles with more durable concrete alternatives, with local companies already producing the new poles.
“However, it is difficult to predict the exact timeline for replacing these poles, especially in rural areas where distances from ZESA (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority) facilities can be considerable. We urge communities to report any theft or damage promptly to help address the issue,” he added.
The government is also exploring technology-based solutions to tackle losses from the ongoing vandalism of transmission infrastructure.
In response to the growing crisis, new legislation has been introduced, mandating a 10-year prison sentence for offenders caught vandalizing or stealing electricity infrastructure.
New Ziana
