THREE police officers based at Pumula North Police Station in Bulawayo were arrested by residents on Sunday after being caught stealing electricity cables.

The theft caused an electricity blackout that affected part of the suburb on Sunday night.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrest yesterday.

“I can confirm that there are three police officers who were arrested. Police does not condone acts of criminality. We will set an example to other police officers that  if they decide to be criminals themselves we will deal with them,’’ Nyathi said.

An audio recording that has gone viral on social media indicated that the three police officers were Rodrick Tavuyanago (34) of Pumula Old, Tapiwa Taruberekera (39) and Kudzai Wemba (33) of ZRP Pumula Police Camp.

It is alleged that about 34 metres of Zesa overhead 2,5mm copper cables and 76 metres of gauge single core cables valued at US$7 000 were stolen.

One resident was awakened by an unusual sound which was followed by a blackout.

He alerted other residents who went to investigate in a bushy area in the suburb, leading to the arrest of the three officers, one of them in police uniform.

Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution western region acting general manager Lloyd Jaji said a Zesa employee reported the theft.