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ZESCO CABLES THEFT BUSTED

By CHARLES MUSONDA

ZESCO Limited security wing and the Zambia Police Service have smashed a syndicate involving theft of optical ground (OPG) wire conductors worth K660, 000 belonging to the power utility company.

 This was after five people were apprehended with five drums of the OPG wire conductors stolen from Mpanshya substation in Rufunsa district.

Zesco public relations manager Hazel Zulu has told journalists that the five suspects include a security guard who was manning the substation.

Ms. Zulu said in Chongwe district on Friday afternoon that Zesco has managed to retrieve the drums and the suspects are scheduled to appear in court tomorrow (Monday).

She said the cables the suspects tampered with are public property and the retrogressive impact of theft and vandalism affects a lot of residential and commercial customers; and other public infrastructure like schools and hospitals.

She said Zesco and the public need to work together in curbing the crime and warned contractors against promoting vandalism of its property because the corporation is aware that perpetrators sell the stolen items to them and other business entities especially involved in metal fabrication.

Ms. Zulu said Zesco will not sit back but will be vigilant and work with other security agencies to ensure theft and vandalism of electricity installations are stopped. 

She said the security guard arrested alongside the other four suspects was not from Zesco but worked for an outsourced security company

She said there is a big possibility of connivance in the smashed theft considering quantity of the stolen items.

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