Kabwe Zesco vandal electrocuted

A man of unknown age of Kabwe’s Makululu area has been electrocuted after tampering with the Zesco 11 Kilo Volt (KV) electricity line connecting to the new Makululu Secondary School.

It is believed that the man, only identified as Bashi Eliza, was attempting to siphon oil from the Zesco transformer or cut the 11 KV power line connecting to the school.

Zesco Spokesperson, Henry Kapata, has confirmed the development to the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Lusaka today.

Mr Kapata said the man, who was wearing rubber protecting clothes, died on the spot this morning around 05:30 hours and his body is lying in Kabwe General Hospital mortuary.

He explained that the development came to the attention of the Zesco maintenance team which was conducting routine works and the matter has since come to the attention of the Police at Kasanda Police Station.

And Mr Kapata has disclosed that 15 people have so far been electrocuted countrywide since January this year with Kabwe district topping the list with 6 people.

Mr Kapata has since urged members of the public to desist from stealing or vandalising Zesco cables and warned that the company shall not relent to prosecute anyone who would be found wanting.

He stated that the power utility company spends huge sums of money to replace the stolen or damaged cables and transformers.

Mr Kapata said the trend by people to destroy Zesco cables also has huge bearing on the members of the public as this may result in interruption of power supply to the affected areas.