Melo News | Monday, 3 June 2024 | Lusaka
ZESCO Limited has recorded a total of 53 cases were recorded this week, resulting in property losses amounting to more than K 1 million.
Company Limited spokesperson Matongo Maumbi says the company has loss in property amounting to K1,132,552.82 which marks a slight increase from the previous week, which saw 52 cases and property losses of K689,650.64.
Melo Media reports that Mr Maumbi said notably, vandalism cases rose by 10 percent , with 42 incidents reported compared to 38 in the prior week.
“Additionally, there were five cases of attempted vandalism and five other crimes not related to vandalism,”he said.
Mr. Maumbi said the power utility company has successfully conducted a series of operations aimed at reducing vandalism, theft, fraud, corruption, and motor vehicle abuse during the past week leading to the recovery of property valued at K374,171.32 across all crime categories.
“The week concluded with three arrests and one conviction, underscoring the department’s commitment to maintaining public safety and order. Crime Rates and Property Losses
A total of 53 cases were recorded this week, resulting in property losses amounting to K1,132,552.82. This marks a slight increase from the previous week, which saw 52 cases and property losses of K689,650.64,”he said.
Mr. Maumbi said a conviction of Morris Nsama was secured after he was found guilty of vandalising ZESCO property.
“One of the highlights of the week was the successful conviction of Morris Nsama, aged 34, of Kankoyo, Mufulira,”he said.
Mr.Maumbi said on September 14, 2023, during a routine motorised patrol in Ndola, ZESCO Security and State Police officers apprehended Nsama when was caught vandalising a 120mm² x 4 Core Cable at a transformer, valued at K6,471.
“The vandalism resulted in a power outage in the area. Although Nsama’s accomplices escaped, he was arrested after attempting to hide in a drainage ditch.Following thorough investigations, it was revealed that Nsama and his accomplices were all residents of Mufulira. Nsama was committed to the High Court for a summary trial on October 24, 2023,”he said. Mr Maumbi said the trial began in May 2024, and Nsama was found guilty and sentenced to ten years of imprisonment with hard labour, effective from the date of his arrest on September 14, 2023.
“The successful operations and the conviction of Morris Nsama serve as a deterrent to would-be offenders and demonstrate ZESCO’s unwavering commitment to protecting public infrastructure and property,”he said.
