By Staff Writer
ZIMBABWE Republic Police (ZRP) has recorded a major breakthrough in Epworth after arresting four suspects linked to a syndicate that vandalised a Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Transformer at Wengi Farm, Zanad, Concession.
The quad was nabbed on 14 June 2023 during an operation when ZRP details managed to track all the vandals after the team embarked on an exercise from midnight, arriving at Epworth around 0200 hours.
The law enforcement team adopted a Snowball Approach which gave them access to Edison Mubhawu aka Khedha from Chief Nyamukunga, Nyamhunga village, aged 38 years, Solomon Bambiko aka Blackie aged 35 years, Lameck Magwenzi, aged 38years and Solomon Gideon, not held from Epworth.
This is one of the many cases that has seen positive outcomes on efforts being made by ZESA to curb effects of vandalism Nationwide.
ZESA General manager for Loss Control ,Festo Madembo vowed to press ahead with works aimed at exposing such illicit acts.
“We will tirelessly continue to work in collaboration with the state security agents and National Prosecution Authority in our quest to ensure that we apprehend vandals and vandalism sponsors who are economic saboteurs and have them successfully convicted.
“We applaud citizens who assist with vital information that helps in both recovering and arrest of culprits. Zimbabweans are encouraged to report anyone they see vandalising national infrastructure to the nearest police station , ZACC or dial our toll free numbers 0801888 and 0808053,” he said.
ZESA continues to intensify the “Musabe Magetsi” operation through working with police as they follow syndicates as it appears that vandalism operations are carried out in teams where one has to monitor the situation, the other one has to go up the transformer, draining of oil also requires manpower and there are also transport operator’s/ vehicle owners who are identified and incorporated into these criminal syndicates as seen overtime.
Laws against vandalism have been tightened and deterrent sentences have and will continue to be imposed on those who vandalise and steal electricity infrastructure and systems even as Government broadens power generation and distribution across the country.
Similarly, ZESA, through the above mentioned operation “Musabe Magetsi” calls upon all upon the Nation and Communities across all districts and provinces to raise their security consciousness and safeguard our national infrastructure. Zimbabwe Republic Police and other stakeholders are challenged to scale up their operations to flush out criminal elements who vandalise national infrastructure.
