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Herald Reporter

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) is seeking a review of sentence for individuals convicted of stealing power cables and transformers from 10 years to 30 years to curb the vice that has prejudiced Zesa Holdings of more than US$2 million annually.

ZETDC requires more than US$14 million to procure intruder detection gadgets to fight the scourge that continue to bleed the power utility.

This was said by Energy and Power Development Deputy Minister Magna Mudyiwa while responding to questions in the National Assembly yesterday.

Bulawayo East MP, Mr Ilos Nyoni had asked what measures Government was putting in place to curb vandalism.

Deputy Minister Mudyiwa said there was need to review the jail term of 10 years to 30 years as what was obtaining in other countries such as South Africa in order to deter would be offenders.

“The problem of theft and vandalism of transformers and lines to get copper and oil is a serious threat to the operation of ZESA.

“It would be very much appreciated if the 10-year mandatory sentence could be reviewed in line with what is obtaining in the Southern African Region.

“In South Africa, the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, Number 18 of 2015 provides for a 30 year jail term.

“The organisation will continue to engage Government on cancellation of copper licences while implementing strategies within ZESA’s control,” said Deputy Minister Mudyiwa.

She said the scourge was so bad that Zesa was losing US$2 million per year.

“ZETDC has resolved to install intruder detection systems on approximately 27 000 distribution transformers nationwide at an approximate cost of US$13,5 million, but due to financial resource limitations, this will be done in a phased manner.

“About 80 transformers have been installed as a pilot project. Contracts are now in place to install 8 000 sites this year 2020,” she said.

ZETDC was in the process of copper harvesting where the power utility has an arrangement with Central African Cables (Pvt) Ltd (CAFCA) where copper is harvested and exchanged for aluminium.

Government is also lobbying for cancellation of copper licences as it perpetuates theft of the mineral as dealers would sell it as scrap, while others would smelt it into ingots before exporting.

“Zesa has been lobbying for the scrapping of copper licences in favour of a centralised system for disposal of non-ferrous metals.

“There have been complexities in this area, which is compounded by the existence of multiple legislation; i.e. Copper Control Act Chapter 14:06, Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) Act Chapter 21:04 (S.I. 39/2005: Definition of a mineral) and Electricity Act Chapter 13:19, Second Hand Goods Act, among others. ZESA continues to engage Government for assistance in this regard,” she said.