Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. ONE of three security guards, who were savagely attacked by copper cable thieves while guarding a Zesa transformer at Carlton Carlieu Farm in Banket, has died.
The deceased, whose name is still being withheld pending notification of next of kin, succumbed to injuries sustained after suspected robbers overpowered and assaulted the guards in the early hours of Saturday.
According to a report made to ZRP Banket, the incident occurred around 1am on November 1 this year when unknown assailants pounced on the guards manning Zesa infrastructure at the farm.
Initial investigations by the Zesa loss control unit, working with officers from the CID Minerals, Flora and Fauna Unit in Chinhoyi and ZRP Banket, revealed that the robbers first attacked one of the guards stationed near a section for tobacco seedlings.
According to the police, the attackers tied the guard with wire and forced-marched him to the transformer site, where two other guards were on duty.
“The robbers then assaulted and tied the two additional guards before dismantling a 200kVA transformer and stripping it of copper windings,” they said.
The gang reportedly cut and skinned 12 metres of 70mm and 12 metres of 35mm armoured copper cables before fleeing the scene, leaving the guards bound.
The victims were discovered at dawn by farm workers reporting for duty, who immediately rushed them to Banket Hospital.
One of the guards was pronounced dead upon arrival, while the other two are receiving medical attention.
The stolen property, estimated to be worth US$10 300, has not been recovered.
Police have opened a case under RRB 6627788 and investigations are underway.
Mashonaland West police spokesperson Inspector Ian Kahwera confirmed the incident, adding that information was still sketchy as investigations were still in progress.
“All I can say is that we received such a report, but I can’t say much at the moment. Get in touch with me tomorrow [Monday],” he said.
Zesa spokesperson, George Manyaya, confirmed the incident and expressed sadness over the loss of life. He said the power utility had experienced a surge in cases of copper cable theft and transformer vandalism.
“We are deeply saddened by the death of one of our contracted security guards during this barbaric attack. Vandalism of electricity infrastructure is not only a national economic crime but also a threat to life and livelihoods,” he said.
“We call upon communities to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around electricity installations.
“Zesa is working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure those behind these acts are brought to justice.”
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