Zimbabwe is facing a severe crisis in its power sector due to the theft of 6,000 transformers nationwide, resulting in disrupted power supply and widespread inconvenience.
Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, has condemned the theft as “unpatriotic,” emphasizing that it hinders efforts to achieve reliable power supply.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, Minister July Moyo stated that the main problem facing the power sector is vandalism of infrastructure.
“As we speak, 6,000 transformers have been stolen countrywide. We have no capacity locally to produce enough to replace them timeously,” he said.
Touching on what would be done regarding wooden electric poles, he said the government has decided to replace them with concrete ones.
“For the wooden poles, the policy we now have is that we replace them with concrete ones, which are more durable,” Moyo told lawmakers.
The theft and vandalism of power infrastructure have led to significant losses, with the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) reporting losses of over US$2 million between January and October 2024.
According to the power utility, nearly 30 tonnes of copper conductors valued at US$600,000, along with 10 tonnes of aluminium conductors worth US$103,000, were stolen during this period.
Additionally, 1,543 litres of transformer oil valued at US$7,700 were siphoned off by thieves, while 136 transformers essential components in electricity transmission — were vandalised, costing US$848,558.
Daring vandals also targeted bolts and nuts from high-voltage pylons, causing damage exceeding US$4,300.
In total, ZESA recorded 1,317 cases of theft and vandalism, resulting in losses valued at US$2,163,207.
Source: https://energynewsafrica.com
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