By JOHN SAKALA
The Lusaka High Court has convicted two vandals for vandalizing Zesco cables.
According to a media statement made available to The Independent Observer by Zesco Public Relations Manager Hazel Zulu, the corporation was pleased with the conviction of two vandals of Kafue town for acts of vandalism of ZESCO transformers in Chilanga and Kafue districts.
Ms Zulu said the vandals removed and stole armored cables from 5 transformers dotted around Kafue town. The vandals were convicted on Wednesday 20th November 2019 by the Lusaka high court.
She said ZESCO transformers that were vandalized are located in Linda Compound in Chilanga, two in Zambia Compound, one in Likolongo, and one in Kafue East in Kafue district.
Ms Zulu identified the convicts as Cephas Lwindi aged 27 and Obetty Monde aged 27 both of Kafue district, Zambia Compound but were apprehended in Chilanga on 20 July, 2019 in connection with the subject offence of Vandalism.
She said on Wednesday November 20, 2019, the duo was convicted concurrently for five counts of vandalism of property.
In the first count fifteen (15) years, second count ten (10) years, third count ten (10) years, fourth count ten (10) years and fifth count ten (10) years.
“As a corporation we are saddened by this development as it is detrimental to the development of the country. As you know electrical equipment involves huge amounts of money and investments and any acts of vandalism takes the corporation and the country backwards”.
“We have been consistently warning perpetrators of this vice that vandalism is a crime under the Laws of Zambia and anyone found liable would be brought to book. We are therefore happy with this conviction and trust that it will act as a deterrent to would be perpetrators. Our call to the public is to join the fight against vandalism and report any such acts to the police,” she said.