By Chinoyi Chipulu
Katanshi member of parliament Anthony Mumba has urged the UPND administration to criminalise the sell of second hand solar products to deter thieves from stealing them.
Mumba’s call comes after thieves stole a solar pump at Chiwele Clinic and Mupambe police post in his constituency.
In an interview with Daily Revelation, Mumba said criminalising the sell of second hand solar products would eradicate the rampant theft of solar panels in light of loadshedding which was compromising its sustainability.
“This is a very sad situation and I am extremely annoyed that the solar pump has been stolen so the facility has no water. I’m calling on government to please criminalize the sell of second hand solar products so that we quench the appetite for thieves to steal solar products just like it has been done for livestock,” he said.
He said government should come up with stiff laws for offenders who were stealing solar panels in order to deter them.
“With the high cost of living, people are spending huge sums of money to buy these commodities but end up losing out. Government could have gone a step further by being aggressive and making sure the right approach is adopted to secure solar panels,” he said.
Mumba said the government should implement policies to secure solar products from theft in communities.
“People are working hard to install the panels but thieves are stealing them, everyone is fighting the cost of living, and now compounded with this loadshedding, everyone is putting these solar products but they are not protected by law,” said Mumba.
