EDM loses 1.5 million meticais in Sofala due to theft
(AIM) – The publicly owned electricity company EDM, in the central Mozambican city of Beira city, has lost 1.5 million meticais (about 23,500 dollars at the current exchange rate) due to the vandalizing and theft of equipment, including 6,800 metres of aluminium electricity cable.
According to Aníbal Barca, EDM director for Client Service, part of the equipment was recovered in a car that was going to Buzi district, and three individuals in connection with the case were arrested (the driver, the supposed owner of the equipment and the buyer).
“The equipment was being taken to a scrap metal warehouse, where it was to have been compressed. Legal measures are being taken to hold accountable those involved, who claim that the equipment was bought abroad”, he said.
However, the individuals, who had been detained in a police station of the Passagem de Nível neighbourhood, were released.
“Their release is up to the authorities. They can explain it better but we have to take into account the fact that they were caught red-handed”, Barca said, adding that the theft of electrical equipment is continuous.
“This year alone, the company has recorded eight similar events causing a loss of 1.8 million dollars. Therefore, we have put a team in the suburbs of Beira city to inspect the situation”, he added.
(AIM)
