Staff Reporter

MARONDERA– Five suspects were recently nabbed in a police crackdown after a Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution (ZETDC) transformer was vandalised at Muzezuru Secondary School in Mudzi.

National police spokesperson Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the development, saying the 100 KW ZETDC transformer was vandalised on January 23.

Following an investigation into the incident, the suspects namely Patson Gurupira (28), Marry Ngono (33), Phillip Chitawa (43), Steven Nyakabau (31) and Clayton Nyakatonje (24) were nabbed.

Following the arrests, the police recovered 60kg of copper windings, two bolt cutters, a shift spanner, two kitchen knives, and a Toyota Chaser getaway car, registration number ADD 1539.

The gang was also linked to another December 2024 transformer vandalism incident at Chingwena Secondary School in Nyamapanda, Mudzi district.

Of late, vandalism of ZETDC transformers has been becoming a growing cause for concern and this has led to a significant financial loss to the national power utility and contributing to disruptions in electricity supply in towns, cities, farms, industrial and residential areas countrywide.

Further to the high costs of replacing damaged equipment, such incidents have negatively impacted production and essential services across the province, resulting in law enforcement agencies reiterating their commitment to curbing such crimes with an emphasis on the importance of community involvement in reporting suspicious activities.

The suspects are expected to appear in court soon on charges related to vandalism and theft.

Commissioner Nyathi appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report any acts of vandalism to prevent further damage to the nation’s critical infrastructure