• Zesco recorded a 12.7 percent increase in vandalism cases to 450, with overall incidents rising to over 1, 000.
• In the first quarter of 2024, ZESCO made significant strides in combating vandalism, theft, and various forms of fraud.
• This resulted in the recovery of property valued at K 2,263,259.46.

ZESCO Limited has disclosed that it lost property valued at over K14.7 million due to acts of vandalism, theft and other forms of fraud in the first quarter of 2024.

ZESCO Spokesperson Matongo Maumbi told Money FM News that the utility recorded a 12.7 percent increase in vandalism cases to 450, with overall incidents rising to over 1, 000.

Mr. Maumbi however revealed that during the same period, the firm made significant strides in combating vandalism of its infrastructure, resulting in the recovery of property valued at over K2 million.

“In the first quarter of 2024, ZESCO made significant strides in combating vandalism, theft, and various forms of fraud, resulting in the recovery of property valued at K 2,263,259.46.”

“Despite facing challenges, with a 12.7% increase in vandalism cases to 450 and overall recorded incidents rising to 1, 668, leading to a substantial loss of property valued at K14,743,381.63, our proactive measures are showing progressive results in the fight against the vice,” Mr. Maumbi stated.

Meanwhile, Mr. Maumbi disclosed that four people have been arrested in connection with the Vandalism case which occurred on 29^th December, 2023, in Kapiri Mposhi district, resulting in the death of its security officer, Inspector Misheck Siakambala.

“On April 2, 2024, in a coordinated operation, security forces apprehended Phillip Silungwe, 49, in East Park Township, Kapiri Mposhi District. Silungwe is suspected of involvement in the vandalism and shooting incident in the Lutanda area that critically injured Inspector Siakambala. He is being held at Chowa Police Station, pending court proceedings.”

“Further arrests included Kelvin Chitalu Winkie 54, Harrison Zulu 50, and Abraham Kabamba 32 on April 1 and 2, 2024, in Katondo Compound, Kabwe District, and at Kasumbalesa Border Post, Chililabombwe District. These individuals are associated with a spate of vandalism affecting our nation’s infrastructure and are currently in custody awaiting legal action,” he added.

Vandalism is the action involving deliberate destruction of or damage to public or private property.

Zesco intends to spend over K20 million this year on new initiatives to fight vandalism.