LUSAKA - ZESCO has warned young people, including juveniles, against engaging in the theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure, saying the growing trend poses a serious threat to lives and disrupts electricity supply.
ZESCO Senior Manager - Security North Frezier Mulebwente said youths involved in stealing cables, transformer components and other electricity infrastructure risk imprisonment, electrocution, serious injuries and death.
Mr. Mulebwente said the warning follows recent convictions involving four young offenders in separate cases before the Ndola and Mpulungu Subordinate Courts.
He explained that the theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure can interrupt power supplies to homes, schools, health facilities and businesses.
"Replacing stolen or vandalised equipment diverts resources that should be used to connect new customers, maintain the network and improve electricity supply," he said.
Mr. Mulebwente cited the conviction of Hastings Chisha Sakala, 25, and Shadrech Sakala, 21, by the Ndola Subordinate Court on July 20, 2026, as examples of the consequences of vandalising electricity infrastructure.
The two men were sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment with hard labour after pleading guilty to stealing two transformer channels valued at more than K4,000.
The equipment had reportedly been placed at a farm for safekeeping following the vandalism of a transformer but was not recovered.
In Mpulungu, two juveniles aged 16 and 17 were convicted of malicious damage to property and theft after they were apprehended cutting a service cable valued at more than K1,000 in Muzabwela Compound.
The cable was recovered, while the two juveniles were placed on six months' probation.
Mr. Mulebwente has since urged parents, schools, communities and traditional leaders to educate young people about the dangers and legal consequences of electricity infrastructure theft and vandalism.