MARTIN MAWAYA
Chirumhanzu -Daring thieves struck in the Mutenderende area, ransacking the local community and stealing two transformers, plunging several villages into darkness and disrupting irrigation.
According to reports, the thefts occurred on June 6, 2025, at around 6 am.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) has confirmed receiving two reports of theft of ZESA (Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority) transformers in the Mutenderende area, which falls under the Charandura policing jurisdiction.
Faith Chademana and Lonkina Dzoro (73), under chief Hama, reported the theft of the transformers located near their respective homesteads.
The thieves had removed the transformers from their poles and vandalized them, leaving behind scattered metal pieces.
While the theft affected 5 villages, plunging them into darkness, the transformer serving the Hama Mavhaire irrigation scheme was quickly fixed, allowing farmers to breathe a sigh of relief as their bean crops were saved.
The Midlands province police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko emphasized the need for concerted efforts to combat the scourge of theft and vandalism affecting public infrastructure.
“It retards development and also affects livelihoods,” he added.
The police are urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to aid in the investigation and prevention of such incidents, which can have far-reaching consequences for the community.