A 38-year-old Namibian man was apprehended by Nshimwe security guards at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region while he was digging for copper cables.

The suspect was handed over to the police, who charged him with theft.

Two other suspects managed to escape arrest.

The NORED Regional Manager for Operations in the Zambezi Region, Sylvester Chaka, who was at the scene, told nbc News that they carried out investigations after realising that the town centre was without power.

They suspected this might be due to copper cable theft, and on investigation, they found that 30 metres of copper cable wire had been dug out and stolen.

Chaka appreciated the security company's work, praising them for exposing the perpetrators.

He appealed to residents of Katima Mulilo to report any suspected power cable theft to the authorities.

Chaka stressed that cable theft has resulted in increased incidents of power outages in the town.

The stolen copper was recovered. 

The suspect is expected to appear before the Katima Mulilo Magistrates Court this week.