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Police in Mbala have recorded the loss of ZESCO underground cables worth K80,000 following an incident of vandalism.
Dr Charles Mbita, Northern Province Deputy Commanding Officer, has since warned members of the public against engaging in the vandalism of infrastructure belonging to ZESCO Limited.
Mbita said the matter was reported to police by Mwila Prince, 23, of Kampompo Compound, who works as a caretaker and security guard at the defunct Kalambo Milling Plant.
He explained that while conducting a routine patrol around the premises on Saturday around 09:00 hours, the security guard noticed two unknown men digging at a site where a ZESCO transformer previously stood.
According to Mbita, the transformer had been removed some time ago after the milling plant ceased operations, but underground cables remained at the location.
The suspects were allegedly using a pick axe to dig up the cables while taking advantage of overgrown grass that concealed their activities.
“The abandoned premises which is now standing as a white elephant structure after its former proprietor left it has for some time now experienced a lot of vandalism activities taking place there,” Mbita said.
He added that when the security guard approached the suspects, they attempted to scare him using the tools they were carrying. However, he raised an alarm that attracted assistance from members of the public.
“When he approached them they first attempted to scare him with the tools they were armed with not until he called for help that came from a neighboring building and that’s how the two suspected thieves climbed the wall and jumped over,” Mbita said.
Members of the public managed to apprehend one suspect, identified as Danny Chanzy, 20, of Old Location Compound, while the other suspect escaped.
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Police later visited the scene in the company of the ZESCO Limited area manager for Mbala to assess the damage.
During the inspection, officers recovered a pick axe, a small knife, a pair of pliers, and about 50 metres of underground ZESCO cables, some of which had already had their copper wires removed.
The total value of the damage was estimated at K80,000, according to ZESCO officials.
“Docket of case opened and arrest made,” Mbita said.
He warned members of the public against vandalising ZESCO installations, stating that such acts negatively affected households and economic activities across the country.
“Anyone found vandalising will be dealt with severely by the long arm of the law and members of the public should work hand in hand with ZESCO and the Zambia Police to apprehend anyone vandalising ZESCO cables as we are all affected by their actions in one way or the other,” he said.
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