Harare, (New Ziana) – A 25 year old man has been sentenced to an effective 13 years in prison for vandalizing Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) property in Glendale, Mazowe.

The National Prosecution Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said the man was convicted and sentenced by the Bindura Magistrates Court. ZETDC loses more than US$20 million per year due to vandalism with more than 1 500 cases recorded annually.

Leo Kambande of Banket was found guilty of violating the Electricity Act after he vandalised a ZETDC transformer and drained oil from it, and damaged its copper rods, resulting in USD$$92 000 damages.

On 13 April around 8am, Kambabande broke into the transformer site Stand 2021 China Africa, Glendale by cutting through the fence and tempered with the transformer.

Security guards caught him in the act, chased him down and a police report was made. An assessment report revealed extensive damage, including an open top lid of the transformer, drained oil and folded copper rods totaling US$92 000 in value.

After a full trial, Kambande was found guilty and sentenced to 13 years in prison, with three years suspended on the condition that he compensates ZETDC to the tune of US$92 000 by December 31 2024.

New Ziana