Police arrest 49 for vandalizing, stealing property belonging to ZESCO

ZESCO Limited has recovered property valued at K92,010, recorded 49 arrests and secured five convictions related to vandalism and theft of property.

The 54 cases recorded within the last week represent a slight decrease from the 59 cases reported the previous week.

In a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, ZESCO spokesperson, Matango Maumbi, said the total value of property lost was K828,255.47, down from K921,639.14 the week before.

“Cases of vandalism dropped by eight percent, with 42 incidents compared to 46 in the prior week,” Maumbi stated.

Additionally, Maumbi pointed out that five cases of attempted vandalism and seven other criminal incidents were recorded.

“Apprehension of seven suspects for vandalism of an 11/04 50 KVA transformer on May 14, 2024, resulted from ZESCO security acting on a tip-off and intercepting vandals in the act of damaging a PMT at Kimakolwe Primary School in Solwezi District,” the spokesperson stated.

Maumbi said the subsequent investigations and a manhunt resulted in the arrest of seven suspects, who were charged with vandalism and detained at Solwezi Central Police Station.

“Investigations into the Kimakolwe PMT vandalism led to the arrest of ten suspects in Solwezi for possession of property suspected to have been stolen or unlawfully obtained. This operation revealed that the suspects had also vandalized the Mulemba Villa 50 KVA PMT on April 29, 2024. The team recovered sacks of copper pieces and assorted copper cables,” he added.

He said police in Mufulira arrested two suspected vandals who provided information leading to the recovery of armoured wires in Kankoyo Township.

“Operations by the security team resulted in the arrest of eight additional suspects connected to a series of vandalism cases in Mufulira District,” he added.

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