Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) recovered 12 tonnes of stolen copper and 80 radiators in Matola, resulting in significant losses and service disruptions. The apprehended individuals linked to this theft emphasize ongoing challenges with vandalism, prompting EDM to enhance preventive measures. Police efforts based on public complaints were instrumental in this seizure.
In a significant recovery operation, the publicly-owned electricity company, Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM), reclaimed approximately 12 tonnes of stolen copper along with 80 radiators in Matola, a municipality located in southern Mozambique. This theft directly impacted the company’s infrastructure and has led to unspecified financial losses while depriving numerous customers of electricity.
Meque Licenga, the EDM Electrical Infrastructure supervisor, noted that the stolen copper cables were extracted from Transformer Stations and Distribution Lines, thereby impacting a substantial number of customers. He emphasized that the ongoing vandalism of electrical infrastructure remains a critical challenge for the company. The truck driver and the vehicle owner implicated in the transport of this stolen material have since been apprehended and are facing prosecution.
Licenga stated that EDM is committed to increasing preventive measures to mitigate the impact of such thefts, revealing that in 2024 alone, thefts resulted in financial losses amounting to around 28 million meticais, equivalent to approximately 438,000 United States dollars. He also highlighted that 2021 marked the peak of these incidents, causing losses of about 260 million meticais.
“Acts of vandalism delay the fulfillment of the goal of Universal Access to energy by 2030,” Licenga remarked. Hélder Juvêncio, the police spokesperson in Matola, attributed the successful seizure of the stolen electrical equipment to routine inspection operations prompted by complaints from EDM and the public. He noted, “We received complaints from EDM, which forced us to step up our enforcement work, culminating in the seizure of the lorry carrying copper destined for South Africa.”
The recovery of 12 tonnes of stolen copper by Electricidade de Moçambique highlights the ongoing issue of electrification sabotage, which poses considerable financial hardships and affects service delivery to customers. As EDM continues to strengthen its preventive measures against theft, it is evident that vandalism detracts from the broader goal of achieving universal energy access by 2030. Law enforcement’s active role in responding to public and corporate complaints is crucial in addressing these challenges.
Original Source: clubofmozambique.com
