Source: Copper cables thieves plunge Lalapanzi into darkness –Newsday Zimbabwe
THE chrome mining town of Lalapanzi in the Midlands province has been plunged into darkness after suspected thieves pounced on a transformer and stole copper cables as well as transformer oil.
Midlands provincial police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko yesterday confirmed the vandalism, which he said led to a loss of property valued at more than US$3000.
“An electricity transformer was vandalised and left lying on the ground, with approximately eight metres of four core armoured cables cut away and about 25 litres of transformer oil drained, all with a total value of US$3200,” Mahoko said.
“This occurred at Hargley Farm in Lalapanzi on January, where the whole area was left in darkness.”
Mahoko said police have since launched a manhunt for the suspects and appealed to anyone who might have information to report to the nearest police station.
“When darkness fell, the community thought it was a normal electricity fault and the discovery of stolen cables was only made the following day at about 3pm by an employee, Thabani Chiwanza, who was on his way to work,” he said.
“The Zimbabwe Republic Police reiterates that the theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure seriously affects the livelihoods of citizens and retards the envisaged national economic development.
“It is also a serious offence which attracts lengthy imprisonment sentences if one big s caught.”
Mahoko also said in a bid to deal the theft of copper cables in the province, police were appealing for information concerning any persons engaging in unlawful copper dealings.
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