Police nab three over suspected stolen ZESCO copper cables in Lusaka

The Zambia Police Service has arrested three people in Lusaka in connection with the possession of property suspected to have been stolen, following an intelligence-led operation conducted in the early hours of Saturday.

Police said the suspects were apprehended on January 10 in the Chinika area, where officers recovered 13 pieces of armoured copper cables and six bundles of tying wire believed to belong to ZESCO Limited.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Zambia Police Service Public Relations Officer, Godfrey Chilabi, the value of the recovered items is yet to be determined.

Those arrested have been identified as Masautso Phiri (32), Daniel Mugala (20), and a 19-year-old male.

“All three are residents of Lusaka and are currently in police custody awaiting formal charges as investigations continue,” Chilabi said.

In the same operation, police also impounded four motor vehicles suspected to have been used in the commission of the offence.

The vehicles are a Toyota Noah bearing registration number ALP 9906, a Toyota Vitz (BBC 4730), a Toyota Runx (BBE 3380), and an unregistered Toyota Auris.

Police have warned that theft and vandalism of public infrastructure, particularly power supply equipment, pose a serious threat to essential service delivery and the national economy.

“Theft of public property, especially infrastructure critical to service provision, amounts to economic sabotage and will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law,” he said.

The Zambia Police Service reiterated its commitment to protecting public assets and urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities involving infrastructure vandalism.

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