Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Electric Supply Company (Tanesco) has suffered losses totalling Sh700.5 million following the vandalism of 63 transformers between January and December 2024, with copper theft now posing a major threat to the country’s power infrastructure.
Of the 63 cases reported during the period, Mkuranga District in the Coast Region accounted for more than half, registering 36 incidents.
Other affected regions include Morogoro (12 cases), Kilimanjaro (9), Iringa (2), Singida (2), and Kinondoni District in Dar es Salaam (2).
Between January and June 2025, three more cases were recorded in Mkuranga, resulting in additional losses of Sh62 million. Suspects have been apprehended and are currently facing legal proceedings.
Speaking to The Citizen’s sister newspaper, Mwananchi, on June 20, 2025, Tanesco’s senior security officer, Mr Richard Damas, said the targeted attacks are orchestrated by individuals dismantling transformers to extract copper wires sold on the black market.
“These losses account for both the replacement of damaged transformers and the revenue during power outages,” he said.
Mr Damas said replacing a transformer takes three to seven days, depending on availability, as most units are imported.
During the downtime, Tanesco is unable to supply electricity to customers, compounding the financial impact.
Risk to lives and services
Beyond financial losses, Mr Damas warned of the grave risks involved in tampering with live electrical equipment.
He cited two fatal incidents—one in Morogoro and another in Mkuranga—where individuals died while attempting to steal copper from energised transformers.
“These acts are dangerous. Although some perpetrators may have basic electrical knowledge, it does not make the activity safe. Fatalities are not uncommon,” he noted.
Most incidents, he added, occur in remote areas near industrial zones or sparsely populated villages where surveillance is limited and emergency response times are slow.
In Mkuranga, vandalism hotspots include the villages of Mwarusembe, Kimanzichana, and Kisiju.
A joint security operation involving Tanesco and law enforcement agencies recently led to the arrest of eight suspects linked to the crimes. Their cases are currently pending before the courts.
How the thefts occur
Mr Damas outlined how the thefts are executed, noting that significant technical expertise is required to breach transformer systems.
“This is not something a single person can do. Bringing down a transformer requires coordination and specialised knowledge,” he said.
He explained that the perpetrators typically begin by disconnecting the fuse supplying power to the transformer to avoid electrocution.
“Once the fuse is blown, the transformer is de-energised. They then open the casing and remove the copper-laden internal components. In many cases, they even topple the entire transformer to extract the material more easily,” he added.
Mr Damas revealed that internal collusion is also being investigated, particularly in cases involving transformers that had yet to be energised—a detail unlikely to be known to the general public.
“There is a possibility of insider involvement or collaboration with individuals possessing technical knowledge, including youth employed by contractors working on ongoing power projects,” he said.
Call for public vigilance
To prevent further incidents, Mr Damas urged the public to remain alert and report any suspicious activity, especially where individuals pose as technicians without prior notification to the village or local leaders.
“We have instructed all village and neighbourhood leaders to insist on official communication before any transformer maintenance is undertaken. Any unscheduled activity should be reported to Tanesco immediately,” he emphasised.
Economic impact
Economists have described the destruction of power infrastructure as a serious economic setback, warning that repeated incidents could undermine investment, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas already struggling with unreliable electricity access.
Economist, Dr Gibson Kihalala, said collective efforts from the government, private sector, and citizens are essential to tackle the issue.
He recommended infrastructure protection strategies, nationwide awareness campaigns, and stricter penalties for offenders.
“Tanzania cannot achieve sustainable development if vital infrastructure is consistently vandalised. These crimes cost millions in repairs, delay economic activities, and disrupt essential services,” he said.
Dr Kihalala added that funds used to replace destroyed equipment could otherwise be invested in health, education, water, and roads.
“Every shilling spent on repairing a transformer is money diverted from social services. This ultimately reduces the quality of life for citizens,” he noted.
Threat to investment
Another economist, Mr Rogatus Moshi, warned that ongoing vandalism could erode investor confidence, particularly given that a reliable electricity supply is a key consideration in investment decisions.
“Investors demand uninterrupted power. If a region is perceived as prone to electrical disruptions due to vandalism, it sends the wrong message and can deter investment,” said Mr Moshi.
He cautioned that falling investor interest could slow economic growth, increase unemployment, and deepen poverty—especially among young people.
“Lack of electricity halts industrial and commercial activity as well as limits job creation. The consequences of these thefts extend far beyond Tanesco’s balance sheet,” he said.
