News / National
ZESA faces criticism over power cuts
14 Aug 2013 at 21:30hrs | Views
ZESA has come under attack from the public who say the power utility's disruption of electricity supplies which started just after the elections smacks of ulterior motives.
Several people told ZBC News that they are disappointed with the current power cuts in the last few days.
They said what worries them is that soon after the elections, there has been a surge in power cuts in a manner that leaves them wondering if there are no hidden motives.
Some of the people claimed ZESA employees who are disconnecting electricity to residents are making political statements.
Contacted for comment, ZESA Spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira refuted the claims linking the power utility to any hidden agenda.
Gwasira said two generating units at Hwange Power Station are down and they are generating 480 megawatts down from 680.
"We are currently in a fix as we have a deficit of 200 megawatts which can supply the whole of Bulawayo or half of Harare," said Mr Gwasira.
However, a social commentator, Mr Boniface Mutize said the fact that the so called breakdown followed by power cuts occurred just after elections leaves more questions than answers.
"The people want answers from ZESA. There must be a good explanation but there seems to be none at the moment," Mr Mutize said.
The people are alleging conspiracy; ZESA says it is facing technical challenges.
But what remains in question is also the timing of the breakdown of the two generators.
Several people told ZBC News that they are disappointed with the current power cuts in the last few days.
They said what worries them is that soon after the elections, there has been a surge in power cuts in a manner that leaves them wondering if there are no hidden motives.
Some of the people claimed ZESA employees who are disconnecting electricity to residents are making political statements.
Contacted for comment, ZESA Spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira refuted the claims linking the power utility to any hidden agenda.
"We are currently in a fix as we have a deficit of 200 megawatts which can supply the whole of Bulawayo or half of Harare," said Mr Gwasira.
However, a social commentator, Mr Boniface Mutize said the fact that the so called breakdown followed by power cuts occurred just after elections leaves more questions than answers.
"The people want answers from ZESA. There must be a good explanation but there seems to be none at the moment," Mr Mutize said.
The people are alleging conspiracy; ZESA says it is facing technical challenges.
But what remains in question is also the timing of the breakdown of the two generators.
Source - zbc
