By Chipo Gudhe
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (Zetdc) Kwekwe District Manager Engineer John Maderera, has called on community participation in protecting electricity infrastructure.
Addressing stakeholders in Kwekwe recently Maderera made the clarion call urging residents to take on a pivotal role in safeguarding electricity equipment as it is owned collectively by the community.

The call comes at a time when the power utility faces the scourge of copper cable theft and transformer components vandalism.
Maderera said that while Zesa acts as a custodian, the responsibility ultimately falls upon the residents.
“Communities should help us in safeguarding electricity equipment. We should take ownership of that equipment as it belongs to everyone, Zesa is only a custodian,” he said.

Highlighting the detrimental effects of vandalism on the electricity infrastructure, Maderera described it as a costly issue that needs urgent attention.
“The replacement of transformers, in particular, places a significant burden on resources. The government is actively working to support the power utility in replacing transformers, focusing on critical areas such as clinics,” he said.
He said with the support of local communities, these transformers can be safeguarded more effectively, ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply.

Maderera called upon residents to be proactive and report any suspicious activities or instances of vandalism.
He however said as a company they have put in place measures to protect the electricity infrastructure.
“After noticing the high numbers of transformer thefts we decided to weld and tuck the transformers to deter the thieves as the transformer tucking programme secured them in such a way that it is difficult for them to be vandalized. Now the thieves are targeting cables and we are looking into the issue of how we can protect them,” he said.

Amos Mungwariri of Amaveni said the call for community involvement highlights a shared responsibility towards electricity infrastructure, promoting a sense of collective ownership and emphasizing the significance of preserving essential services for the benefit of all.

Domestic and business clients in Zimbabwe have suffered incessant power blackouts following rampant theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

Recently a police officer stationed in Gweru, Constable Musa Mukuli was arrested and brought before Kwekwe Magistrates Court for allegedly stealing electricity copper cables in Sherwood.

Two other people in Sherwood, Tapera Jojo and Dennis Ncube were brought before the courts after they destroyed electricity cables worth US$30 000.