Zambia’s electricity company, ZESCO Limited, has hailed the prosecution and sentencing of three persons for vandalising the company’s property with a total of K 57,230.13(U.S $2,679.47)
Kennedy Mubili and Gilbert Zulu were apprehended during an operation by ZESCO security team, when they were found vandalising ZESCO copper cables at substation 371 in Chinika industrial area in Lusaka.
The other suspect, Abel Edson Njobvu, was arrested on May 8, 2020, while vandalising cables at Old Independence substation, resulting in power outage in East Matero.
The three accused persons were, on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, found guilty by a Zambian court for the offence of vandalism, and consequently, sentenced Mobuli and Zulu to 13 years’ imprisonment in hard labour while Abel Edson Njobvu was jailed 10 years in hard labour.
In a statement signed by Hazel M. Zulu(Mrs), Public Relations Manager of ZESCO, it said “As a corporation, we are elated with the conviction and sentencing of the three because we are confident that it will act as deterrent to would be offenders. We have repeatedly warned that vandalism is serious criminal offence under the Laws of Zambia, and if convicted, one can be imprisoned for over 10 years.”
ZESCO assured the public that it remain committed to ensuring that it make it easy for people to live a better life saying we continue to work vigorously with other stakeholders to ensure that we bring vile acts to a halt,”
“We further encourage members of the community to guard public property jealously and report any suspicious acts around ZESCO installations to ZESCO security or the Zambian Police Service as SCU vices are retrogressive to the action.
“In 2020, ZESCO lost in excess of K5million kwacha (U.S $234,095.76) due to vandalism of its installation,” the company said.
Source: www.energynewsafrica.com