5 electrocuted while vandalizing ZESCO  facilities

Wed, 15 Mar 2017 12:39:00 +0000

By CHIKUMBI KATEBE

FIVE people have been electrocuted while over 30 suspects have been arrested for vandalizing Zesco facilities this year alone, Zesco spokesman Henry Kapata has revealed.

Mr Kapata said 36 people were arrested this year in connection with vandalism while the company has recorded five electrocutions as a result of illegal trespass on Zesco properties across Zambia.

Mr Kapata said several other suspects were currently appearing before the courts of law on numerous charges of vandalism.

He said, about 10 people have already been convicted and were serving jail sentences of not less than 10 years for vandalizing Zesco power lines and equipment.

He said just yesterday, four more people were arrested for vandalizing Zesco facilities in Kitwe.

Meanwhile, Zesco has appealed for on-time maintenance to electricity equipment at the National Heroes and Levy Mwanawasa Stadiums following a successful uninterrupted power supply during hosting of the Under-20 AfCON tournament

Mr Kapata said the power utility company had invested adequately in power supply to the two major stadiums in Zambia , but that the managers of the facilities must play their role in constant maintenance to avoid fast wear and tear.

Mr Kapata said Zesco in its preparations for the just ended Under-20 Africa Cup tournament enhanced power supply to the two mega-facilities including backup power supply in case of interruptions, but that stadium managers must ensure they take extra care of the equipment to avoid wastage.

“We are indeed proud to be associated with the successful AfCON tournament. We have a brand new switch-gear at Lusaka’s National Heroes Stadium which provides power to the stadium and surrounding areas currently performing at 100 percent with no challenges whatsoever,

“And so the onus is on the stadium managers at both facilities to carry out routine maintenance works to lessen the process of tear and wear,” he said.