Harare- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have arrested six individuals recovering stolen ZESA copper cables and vandalism tools in a significant crackdown on the destruction of critical national infrastructure.

The arrests, which all occurred on Tuesday, October 28, highlight a continuing battle against a crime that plunges communities into darkness and costs the nation millions in repairs.

Police manning a roadblock at the 73 km peg along the Murewa-Madicheche Road intercepted a Toyota Dyna vehicle and arrested three men: Johanne Kaswove, Godknows Kutama, and Ernest Sau.

According to a ZRP statement, a search of the vehicle yielded two sacks filled with armoured copper cables, which were confirmed to have been stolen from three different transformers in the Mutawatawa area.

The police also uncovered a set of tools believed to be used in the thefts, including a 24-inch bolt cutter, a hacksaw, a shifting spanner, a side cutter, two screwdrivers, and an electronic scale, suggesting an organized operation.

In a separate but simultaneous incident in Bulawayo, police arrested Thuthukani Ndlovu (27) and Melulekh Nkiwane (24) on charges of vandalising key infrastructure. The duo allegedly targeted a ZESA transformer in Cowdray Park, where 30 meters of four-core transformer copper cables were stolen and subsequently recovered by police.

Adding to the day’s successes, ZRP Pumula also arrested 21-year-old Ofen Tamuka for the theft of ZESA copper cables. From this arrest, law enforcement recovered three 30-meter lengths of copper cable, along with another bolt cutter and a scale.

The theft of copper cables from energy infrastructure has plagued Zimbabwe for years, leading to widespread power outages and immense financial losses for the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA). The power utility has repeatedly decried the vandalism, stating it undermines efforts to provide consistent electricity to households and industry.

These coordinated arrests signal a renewed effort by police to combat the scourge. The ZRP has urged the public to continue reporting suspicious activities around power infrastructure, reminding citizens that vandalism of essential services is a serious economic crime.

All six suspects are currently in custody and are expected to appear in court soon to face charges of unlawful possession of copper cables, vandalism of essential infrastructure, and theft.