ZESCO secures 18-month sentence for copper cable theft in Isoka

ZESCO Limited has achieved a key legal victory in its fight against vandalism and theft, as an Isoka District court in Muchinga Province sentenced 18-year-old Morgan Mupeka to 18 months’ imprisonment with hard labour for copper cable theft.

Mupeka, a resident of Kawenga Village, Chief Kafwimbi, was arrested on July 12, 2024, with 26 meters of stolen copper cable worth K1,211.60.

He was convicted on September 25, 2024, following testimonies from three witnesses.

ZESCO spokesperson Matongo Maumbi, in a statement issued on Friday, said Mupeka’s conviction under Section 319(a)(b) Cap 87 of the Laws of Zambia was part of the company’s ongoing efforts to deter criminal activities that damage critical infrastructure and disrupt power supply.

Maumbi noted that ZESCO’s crackdown on vandalism and theft resulted in 19 arrests, 64 recorded cases of which 53 involved vandalism, marking a 10.4 percent rise from the previous week.

Despite property losses totaling K809,422.39, ZESCO successfully recovered K296,780.52 worth of stolen infrastructure, including transformers and service cables.

In another operation, three suspected vandals—Charles Mwewa (aka “Dayo”), Luwis Kiyebo, and Miguel Mwila Mwanjimbo—were arrested in Mufulira’s Kankoyo Mine Township after abandoning a Toyota Corolla during a police chase.

They are linked to several infrastructure vandalism incidents and are due to appear in court soon.

Maumbi praised the public’s support in reporting these crimes, emphasizing that ZESCO remains committed to working with law enforcement and communities to protect Zambia’s energy infrastructure.

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