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The High Court of Zambia has sentenced a Lusaka man to 14 years imprisonment with hard labour for vandalising electricity infrastructure at the Kabanana Mini Sub-station, in a ruling ZESCO Limited says sends a strong warning to vandals.
Jones Mutemba was convicted on April 22, 2026 by High Court Judge Ian Mwanajiti Mabbolobbolo at the Principal Registry in Lusaka.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Wednesday by ZESCO, the offence involved vandalised armoured cables attached to a 500KVA transformer valued at K52,885.75.
The sentence was effective from September 22, 2025, the date of Mutemba’s arrest.
The case is the latest in a string of prosecutions as ZESCO intensifies efforts to curb attacks on its infrastructure.
It follows another recent case in which Webster Chongo was sentenced to an effective 10-year jail term by the High Court for a similar offence.
ZESCO recorded 21 cases of vandalism and theft between 15 and 21 May 2026, with losses valued at K660,440.39.
Recoveries during the period stood at K100,395.96, leaving a net loss of K560,044.43. Six suspects were arrested and one conviction secured.
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Of the 21 cases, 16 involved vandalism, including five transformer vandalism cases.
ZESCO’s Senior Manager for Special Duties and Investigations, Ben Mwanamakwa, said the 14-year sentence marks a significant step in the fight against vandalism.
“This 14-year sentence is a significant milestone in the fight against vandalism. It shows that offenders who attack electricity infrastructure will face serious consequences,” Mwanamakwa said.
He commended community members whose swift action led to Mutemba’s apprehension and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities around ZESCO installations.
Mwanamakwa reported a decline in incidents during the reporting week, with vandalism cases dropping from 30 the previous week to 16.
“This can be attributed the drop to intensified patrols, proactive security interventions and stronger collaboration with communities,” he said.
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