Man Jailed for 5 Years Over Electrical Infrastructure Theft

A man caught stealing 200 meters of EEU electric cable in Debre Markos has been sentenced to five years in prison, as the utility renews its call for the public to report infrastructure theft.

An individual who was caught committing theft on an electric power line in Debre Markos City, Amhara Region, has been sentenced to five years of rigorous imprisonment.

The suspect, Getachew Zelalem, was apprehended on October 23, 2024 (13/10/2017 E.C.) in Debre Markos City Administration, Tedla Guwalew Sub-city, Kebele 07, in an area locally known as Selassie Sefer. He was caught red-handed by local security forces while stealing 200 meters of electric cable belonging to Ethiopian Electric Utility.

The East Gojjam Zone High Court, in its session held on March 24, 2026 (Megabit 15, 2018 E.C.), found the individual guilty and sentenced him to five years of rigorous imprisonment.

Criminal acts targeting electrical infrastructure cause significant social and economic damage to both the public and the country. Therefore, the public is urged to report such illegal activities to the nearest security authorities and fulfill their civic responsibility.