Harare fastfood outlets uses transformer oil for frying chips

OIL stolen from Zesa Holdings' transformers is reportedly being used by unscrupulous businesspeople operating fastfood outlets mainly in Harare as cooking oil for frying chips and other food items, posing a serious health hazard to consumers.

This was revealed yesterday following the arrest of 19 people accused of stealing transformer oil worth US$300 000, leaving over 3000 households in Harare without electricity the government controlled Herald reported.

The power utility's spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira said transformer oil was on high demand and was also being sold to motorists for use as a fuel blender.

He, however, said the oil was highly corrosive to engines and would cause serious damage.

Mr Gwasira warned oil thieves that tampering with electricity infrastructure attracts a minimum 10-year sentence under the Electricity Act. Anyone arrested for possession, stealing or vandalising Zesa Holdings infrastructure can be jailed for not less than 10 years.

He said the suspects were arrested in Glen View and the Southerton area known as Green Trees while selling oil believed to have been stolen from Zesa Holdings transformers following an operation to safeguard and protect its infrastructure code-named "No to Vandalism of Zesa Structures."

Over 1 000 litres of transformer oil were recovered.