“ZESA Loses 6000 Transformers to Theft”

The Problem: A National Crisis in Critical Infrastructure

Zimbabwe’s national power utility, ZESA, faces a debilitating crisis: the systematic theft and vandalism of electricity transformers. With losses exceeding 6,000 units, the financial impact runs into hundreds of millions of US dollars, crippling infrastructure investment.

Beyond the direct cost, these attacks cause prolonged power outages, disrupt businesses, threaten public safety, and hinder national economic growth. A traditional, reactive approach to security has proven inadequate against this coordinated threat.

The Haul IT Solution: Proactive, Intelligent Monitoring

Haul IT, in strategic partnership with Powertel and ZEDTC, is deploying a cutting-edge, LoRaWAN-based IoT security solution to eliminate transformer vandalism. Moving beyond proof-of-concept, we are rolling out a nationwide network of intelligent sensors that are covertly installed on transformers.

Our system provides:

Real-time Tamper Alerts: Immediate notification of unauthorized access, tilting, or dismantling attempts.
Geolocation Tracking: Pinpointing a transformer’s location if it is moved, enabling rapid recovery.
Centralized Command Dashboard: Giving utilities a real-time view of asset status and security events across the entire grid.
Long-Range, Low-Power Operation: LoRaWAN technology ensures years of battery life and coverage even in remote, off-grid locations.

The Results: Protecting Assets, Ensuring Power, Demonstrating Expertise

This transformative deployment delivers immediate and long-term value:

For ZESA & The Nation

Direct prevention of theft, saving millions in replacement costs and lost revenue. A dramatic reduction in vandalism-related blackouts, contributing to steadier, more reliable power supply for homes and industries.

For Haul IT

This project demonstrates our core technical competencies—designing, integrating, and deploying large-scale, mission-critical IoT networks. It proves our ability to collaborate with major national entities to solve complex infrastructural challenges with innovative technology.