Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, said that the power utility, ZESA Holdings, has lost 6,000 transformers countrywide to thieves, making it difficult for the company to effectively deliver on its mandate.
Responding to Murehwa South legislator Noah Mangondo (ZANU PF) during a Question-and-Answer session, Moyo said the country currently doesn’t have the capacity to manufacture enough electricity transformers to replace those that have been stolen. He said:
<blockquote>
The main problem we are facing is vandalism of infrastructure, and as we speak, 6,000 transformers were stolen countrywide. We have no capacity locally to produce enough to replace them timeously.
For the wooden poles, the policy we now have is that we replace them with concrete ones which are more durable.
</blockquote>
Mangondo had demanded to know the government’s policy on replacing damaged or vandalised electricity transmission infrastructure for learning institutions and health centres, which sometimes go months without power.
According to a recent report, ZESA reported losing over US$2 million in equipment to theft and vandalism between January and October 2024.
The power utility detailed the theft of nearly 30 tonnes of copper conductors worth US$600,000 and 10 tonnes of aluminum conductors valued at US$103,000. 
Additionally, 1,543 litres of transformer oil worth US$7,700 were stolen, and 136 transformers sustained damage costing US$848,558. Vandals also removed bolts and nuts from high-voltage pylons, leading to damages over US$4,300.
In total, ZESA recorded 1,317 incidents of theft and vandalism, resulting in losses of US$2,163,207.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/energy-minister-says-zimbabwe-has-lost-6000-transformers-to-vandalism/">NewZimbabwe.com</a>

Pindula News

The Energy Minister said that ZESA has lost 6,000 transformers to thieves which is making it hard for the company to provide electricity. The country doesn't have enough transformers to replace the stolen ones. The thieves are also causing damage to other equipment like power lines and oil. This has cost ZESA over $2 million. The government is trying to come up with ways to prevent these thefts and vandalism. Schools and hospitals are sometimes left without power because of these thefts.

Energy Minister Says ZESA Has Lost 6,000 Transformers To Thieves

Four men were arrested in Mutoko, Mashonaland East this week for allegedly vandalising Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) transformers and stealing armoured cables at Mushimbo and Rukau Business Centres.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on their official X page, saying the suspects were apprehended at a roadblock on Harare-Nyamapanda Road on Monday. Police said:
<blockquote>
Police in Mutoko acted on received information and arrested Anderson Takawira alias Tatenda Vambe (30) , Isaac Vheremu (38), Trymore Bona (30) and Archford Chiyangwa (25) at a roadblock along Harare Nyamapanda Road on 27/01/25 in connection with vandalism of a ZETDC transformer and theft of armoured cables.
The arrest led to the recovery of the suspects’ getaway car, a Toyota Aqua , reg number AGF 9536, bolts, nuts, two scales , spanners, a knife and armoured cables.
The suspects are being linked to a case of vandalism of a ZETDC transformer at Mushimbo Business Centre where transformer oil was stolen on 27/01/25 and a case of theft of ZETDC copper cables at Rukau Business Centre, Mutoko on 27/01/25 where a transformer was vandalised before armoured cables were stolen.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Caleb Chivhanga (25) of Chinhoyi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for possessing 0.85g of copper without a license, in violation of the Copper Control Act [Chapter 14:06].
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Chivhanga was found with bundled copper wire on January 1, 2025, at Musakwa Village in Chinhoyi.

Four men were caught by police in Mutoko for breaking transformers and stealing cables from ZETDC. The men were arrested at a roadblock and their car, tools, and stolen cables were found. They were linked to stealing transformer oil and copper cables from two different places. The suspects are now in trouble for their crimes.

Four Suspects Held In Mutoko For ZETDC Transformer Vandalism And Cable Theft

Community members successfully thwarted the theft of a ZESA transformer at Max Village in Vengere, Rusape, on Christmas Day, thereby preventing another prolonged blackout in the area.
The would-be vandals, believed to be the same gang responsible for stealing a transformer at the same site just months ago, fled into the darkness, leaving the transformer intact after realising they had been seen.
Their previous heist had plunged the whole of Rusape into darkness for almost a month.
Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, spokesperson for the ZRP in Manicaland Province, confirmed the incident and commended the alert community members for preventing the potential vandalization of the transformer. Said Chinyoka (via <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/new-thieves-foiled-in-attempt-to-steal-zesa-transformer-in-rusape/">The Manica Post</a>):
<blockquote>
On December 25 around 3 AM, police received a tip-off about potential thieves targeting a transformer at Max Village, Vengere.
Thanks to swift action from the Officer in Charge at Rusape Central and active community members, police arrived promptly and thwarted the attempted theft.
We urge everyone to remain cautious and look out for one another, especially during this festive season when thieves often take advantage of the celebratory atmosphere.
As a result of the swift action the would-be vandals were chased away, and the transformer was saved. 
The community’s prompt response has ensured that Vengere will enjoy an uninterrupted power supply this festive season.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

In Rusape, community members stopped thieves from stealing a ZESA transformer on Christmas Day. The thieves ran away when they were spotted, avoiding a blackout like the one they caused before. The police and community worked together to prevent the theft. The police thanked the community for their quick help. Now, the village will have power during the holidays. Everyone is reminded to be careful, especially during celebrations when thieves might try to steal things. The people in Rusape worked together to keep their electricity and stop the thieves.

Quick-Thinking Locals Foil Transformer Theft In Rusape

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) lost over US$2 million worth of electricity transmission and distribution equipment to theft and vandalism between January and October of this year, reported <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/us2m-zesa-equipment-lost-to-theft">The Sunday Mail</a>.
The power utility reported that nearly 30 tonnes of copper conductors, valued at US$600,000, and 10 tonnes of aluminium conductors, worth US$103,000, were stolen during this period.
In addition, thieves siphoned off 1,543 litres of transformer oil, valued at US$7,700. A total of 136 transformers, critical to the electricity transmission process, were vandalised, resulting in losses of US$848,558.
Vandals also targeted bolts and nuts from high-voltage pylons, causing damages exceeding US$4,300.
In total, ZESA recorded 1,317 incidents of theft and vandalism, amounting to a staggering US$2,163,207 in losses.
Harare Region saw 12 transformers worth US$114,200 vandalised, alongside the theft of 5,895 kilograms of copper conductors valued at US$11,790.
The Northern Region (which includes Chinhoyi, Kadoma, and Bindura) reported losses of US$607,250, including the destruction of 43 transformers valued at US$378,000.
The Eastern Region, covering Manicaland and parts of Masvingo provinces, experienced equipment thefts totalling US$190,810, including 23 transformers worth US$99,058.
The Western Region, including Bulawayo and parts of Matabeleland, suffered losses of US$742,106. 
The Southern Region, covering parts of Masvingo, Gweru, and Kwekwe, incurred damages of US$157,824.
The rise in thefts and vandalism has been attributed, in part, to prolonged power outages, which have made ZESA infrastructure vulnerable.
With power supply disrupted in some areas, criminals have found it easier to steal essential components, further exacerbating the country’s energy crisis.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA, the power company in Zimbabwe, lost over US$2 million because of theft and vandalism in 10 months. Thieves stole copper and aluminum conductors, transformer oil, transformers, bolts, and nuts. The thefts and vandalism caused a total of 1,317 incidents, leading to huge losses for ZESA. Different regions in Zimbabwe, like Harare, Northern, Eastern, Western, and Southern, all suffered losses. The increase in theft and vandalism is linked to frequent power outages, making ZESA's equipment more vulnerable. This problem is making the country's energy crisis worse.

Theft And Vandalism Cost ZESA Over US$2 Million In 10 Months

The government has resolved to secure Epping Forest and Rochester Aquifer in Nyamandlovu to curb vandalism of electricity infrastructure, which is contributing to Bulawayo’s water crisis.
Police officers and security guards will soon be deployed at Epping Forest and Rochester Aquifer to protect electricity infrastructure which includes transformers and copper cables.
This followed the setting up of an inter-ministerial committee to provide both short and long-term solutions to Bulawayo’s perennial water challenges.
The committee comprises Ministers of Local Government and Public Works; Power and Energy Development; Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development; Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution, the security sector and Bulawayo City Council (BCC).
Speaking in an interview with State media, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said security personnel will soon be deployed to safeguard the electricity infrastructure. He said:
<blockquote>
Although ZESA and everyone are suggesting that we replace the copper transformers, which are targeted by thieves, that process is likely to take longer.
What we have, therefore, agreed on is that ZINWA and the city council must work with the security cluster.
Zimbabwe Republic Police must have permanent staff at Epping Forest and Rochester Aquifer to protect the area from acts of vandalism.
Instead of getting 20 megalitres from Epping Forest, we are only getting 3ML/day, which is an issue of grave concern.
They are stealing the oil and the copper. The city council working with ZINWA must have permanent security personnel stationed at all those transformers because we are now jeopardising the lives of over 60 000 people in the city’s western suburbs.
</blockquote>
Moyo said the government was hopeful that the amendment of a law that will ensure electricity vandals get a mandatory 30-year jail term will be a deterrent and reduce the copper theft cases. | <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/security-personnel-deployed-at-water-installations/">Chronicle</a>

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