Mutoko police have arrested five individuals for allegedly damaging a ZETDC transformer and stealing copper cables at Mazezuru Secondary School in Mudzi.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police shared details of the arrests on social media, naming the culprits involved in this criminal act.
Phillip Chitawa, Steven Nyakabau, Patson Gurupira, Clayton Nyakatonje, and Mary Ngono, all from Mutoko, face charges of vandalism and theft.
The police operation recovered 60 kilograms of copper windings, tools used for the crime, and a Toyota Chaser believed to be the getaway vehicle.
These suspects are also implicated in a similar incident at Chingwena Secondary School in Nyamapanda, highlighting a pattern of criminal activity.
The ripple effects of transformer vandalism have severely disrupted power supply, affecting schools and local health services in the region.
This crime not only hampers educational facilities but also poses significant challenges to the community’s daily life and safety.
Law enforcement has called upon citizens to be watchful and report any unusual behavior to curb the rising tide of such destructive acts.
The investigation continues with authorities piecing together the network behind these attacks on Zimbabwe’s electrical infrastructure.
The recovery of stolen items and the linking of crimes underscore the police’s determination to tackle this issue head-on.
As the case unfolds, further connections to other vandalism incidents might be uncovered, revealing the scale of this criminal syndicate.
The community of Mutoko and surrounding areas are now on high alert, hoping for swift justice and an end to this menace.
The police’s proactive stance and the public’s cooperation are crucial in safeguarding critical infrastructure from further harm.