Copper Cable Theft: A Persistent Issue Plaguing Bulawayo

Copper cable theft has become a growing epidemic in the city of Bulawayo, causing widespread disruption and danger to the residents.

Zimbabwe Republic Police in partnership with ZETDC Loss Control, National Railways of Zimbabwe, and Telone, took a stand against this criminal activity by conducting multifactorial awareness campaigns in the Central Business District on 23 February.

The theft of copper cables has far-reaching consequences, impacting crucial services such as healthcare, water supply, and electricity.

Losses Suffered

According to ZETDC regional manager Lloyd Jaji, the company has suffered significant losses amounting to around 20 million due to theft and vandalism of copper cables.

In an effort to combat this issue, ZESA is replacing copper cables with aluminium, despite the former’s superior conductivity. Additionally, measures such as the use of drones, CCTV surveillance, and advanced detection devices are being considered to better safeguard the infrastructure from theft and vandalism.

Bulawayo Police spokesperson, Inspector Abednico Ncube, emphasised the importance of community involvement in combating copper cable theft.

Copper Cable Vandals

He urged members of the public to report any suspicious activities related to theft or vandalism of copper cables. Ncube highlighted the successful arrest and conviction of an individual involved in the theft of copper cables, emphasising the serious consequences that come with such crimes.

“We warn members of the public that stealing or tampering with copper cables carries a mandatory sentence of plus or minus 10 years. Therefore, people should think otherwise. So far we are above the situation and we want to appreciate all members of the public for coming in handy with information that is assisting us to arrest criminals threatening the electricity supply of our nation,” he said.

Target Areas

The targeted areas for copper cable theft are diverse, ranging from essential services like hospitals to industrial areas. In response, law enforcement agencies are intensifying their efforts to crackdown on criminals involved in such activities.

Inspector Ncube assured the public that police officers, in uniform and undercover, are actively working to apprehend individuals engaged in copper cable theft.

“We are not working on this campaign to raise awareness only but we have teams on the ground that are targeting criminals, so police officers and uniform every day some members of public stakeholders join,” he said.

Awareness Campaigns

Furthermore, the initiatives to combat copper cable theft extend beyond awareness campaigns, with continuous surveillance and strategic operations in place to safeguard critical infrastructure.

Inspector Ncube warned against complacency, urging the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities promptly.

“Should there be any load shedding during the night or a power cut? They should immediately contact the police,” he advised.