Lusaka, Zambia – 19 August 2025 – The Government has expressed serious concern over the increasing cases of vandalism and theft targeting Mulonga Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MWSC) infrastructure, which continue to disrupt the supply of safe drinking water to residents.

In the past week alone, two incidents of vandalism and theft were recorded on new installations under the Zambia Water and Sanitation Project (ZWSP) in Chingola and Mufulira.

1. In Chingola, an air relief valve coupled with a control valve, valued at K58,000, was stolen from a newly commissioned DN500mm main supply pipeline that has been constructed to convey bulk water from Kasompo distribution control center to Chingola central, Riverside and surrounding areas. The theft disrupted water supply to more than 4,000 residents .

1. In Mufulira, unknown individuals vandalized and stole electricity cables worth K72,000 from a newly rehabilitated River Water Intake with a raw water supply capacity of 30MLD to the MCM water treatment plant. During the same period,  unknown individuals also vandalized and stole electricity cables worth K4000 from the newly constructed borehole in Zimba peri-urban. This borehole represents the first piped water infrastructure in the area since independence and was implemented by MWSC with Government support.

These criminal acts come at a time when Government is strengthening strategies to ensure that citizens across the country gain access to safe water and decent sanitation. Such incidents threaten to erode the significant progress being made through the ZWSP.

The ZWSP, being implemented by MWSC with support from Government, is a €156 million investment aimed at rehabilitating and expanding water supply and sanitation infrastructure to improve service delivery. Unfortunately, recurring cases of vandalism and theft have caused setbacks and delays in completing critical project components.

Government sternly warns all perpetrators of vandalism and theft that such acts will not be tolerated. Offenders will face the full force of the law. We have further urged the Zambia Police Service to intensify efforts not only to arrest vandals and thieves but also to prosecute individuals and entities involved in buying stolen water installations, as receiving stolen property is equally a crime.

Government calls on members of the public to safeguard water and sanitation infrastructure in their communities and report any suspicious activities. Protecting these vital installations is key to ensuring that the nation’s investments deliver the intended benefits of improved access to safe water and sanitation for all.

Issued by:

Original signed by

Hon. Eng. Collins Nzovu, MP
Minister of Water Development and Sanitation