Zesa cuts off Gweru council

Power utility company Zesa Holdings has disconnected Gweru City Council over an outstanding bill of $10 million.

Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi confirmed the development saying Gweru Civic Centre had been relying on a generator since last week.

"Gweru council has been cut off by Zesa, but I am still to be furnished with details on the actual amount owed to the power utility. I just have unconfirmed figures that estimate the bill at $10 million," said Kombayi.

He said the council plans to engage Zesa to work out an agreement on how best to settle the bill without disrupting operations at the municipality.

Zesa also cut off power at council's works yard near Kudzanai bus terminus.

"I understand key areas such as clinics and our waterworks have been spared after disconnection of the works yard," Kombayi said.

Council finance director Edgar Mwedzi could also not confirm the amount owed to Zesa when contacted yesterday saying he could only do so today.

"I can't give you the figures off-head, but if you come tomorrow (today) we can talk," he said.

Council went for three weeks without power in September last year after Zesa switched it off over a $2 million unpaid bill.