Despite significant security measures, ZESCO Limited has reported a concerning rise in property losses, with figures for December showing a sharp increase. According to ZESCO spokesperson Matongo Maumbi, the company suffered K7,457,538.99 in property losses for the month, up from K5,701,599.15 in November.
The increase in losses poses a major concern for ZESCO, as it not only affects the company’s finances but also jeopardizes the reliability of electricity supply to consumers. Theft continues to be the primary security challenge, with 1,078 cases of stolen service cables recorded in December. Although vandalism cases showed a slight improvement, decreasing by 15% to 220 cases, the total number of security-related incidents still rose to 1,328, compared to 1,278 in November.
In response to these escalating security threats, ZESCO has ramped up its security efforts, resulting in the recovery of assets valued at K877,672.30, the arrest of 61 individuals, and 11 convictions. Despite these efforts, the human cost of the breaches remains tragic, as demonstrated by a fatal incident in Mufulira. A young man lost his life while attempting to steal a live conductor from a power line. This incident underscores the dangers of tampering with electricity infrastructure, which not only results in loss of life but also disrupts electricity supply, causing significant inconvenience to consumers and impacting the nation’s economic activities.
ZESCO has repeatedly warned the public about the dangers of interfering with electricity installations, yet some individuals continue to engage in such reckless behavior. Maumbi emphasized that these acts of theft and vandalism undermine the country’s energy security, and the public must be more vigilant in reporting suspicious activities.
ZESCO commended the cooperation of community members, noting their key role in preventing further losses by reporting suspicious activities. The company also urged the public to help protect the nation’s electricity infrastructure by avoiding interference with installations and reporting any suspicious behavior.
“We will continue to work tirelessly to prevent security breaches and safeguard the nation’s electricity supply. We appeal to everyone to join us in these efforts,” Maumbi concluded.
The ongoing challenges highlight the need for ZESCO to invest in smarter security solutions to counter the growing threat of theft and vandalism, while also engaging with communities to enhance public awareness and cooperation.
