Zesa disconnects power supplies to Ministers' businesses

ZESA Holdings has switched off two Cabinet Ministers, several firms and households as it intensifies efforts to recover over US$450 million owed by consumers.

The ministers (names supplied) had electricity disconnected from their businesses for failing to settle bills, some of them nearing US$100 000.

Zesa officials who declined to be named said: "We have disconnected two Cabinet Ministers after they failed to pay. One of them has a bill close to US$100 000.

They will be reconnected only after they pay their dues or work out some payment plans."

The power utility will continue disconnecting influential people and other businesses countrywide, sources said.

Zesa officials have moved into residential areas where they are switching off defaulters.

Worst affected are residents in Glen Norah, Glen View, Mufakose and Budiriro and some low-density suburbs.

Residents in the areas said the power utility started disconnecting them last Friday.

Some of the residents have not paid their bills since the introduction of multiple currencies in 2009.

However, the residents said their bills were not commensurate with the services they were receiving.

Most of the bills are based on estimates.

"They started last week and I think they are about to finish in this area. What pains us most is that the bills are too high and we do not know how we will be able to pay them," said Mr Enock Shambare of Glen Norah.

Others said they were being disconnected despite making payment plans.

"They tell you to come and make arrangements, but at the end of the day they still disconnect you. They should be lenient considering that we won't be having electricity for most hours of the day," said Mr Amos Tasara of Glen View.

Some residents said their bills continued to accumulate despite paying.

To avoid disconnection or to have power reconnected, Zesa is demanding at least 25 percent of the total bill.

The balance has to be paid in an approved payment plan with Zesa for a period not exceeding six months.

Any customer who breaches the payment plan will be disconnected.

Some Government ministers, legislators and senior civil servants are reportedly refusing to pay their bills.

Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma recently said no one will be spared.

Meanwhile, Copota Schools and Workshops of the Blind in Zimuto, Masvingo, which had been switched off over a US$48 000 debt, was reconnected yesterday.

The school, which has over 350 visually-impaired students, had been without electricity for the past two weeks.

Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira yesterday confirmed they had reconnected the school.

"Zesa remains committed to discharging its mandate of electricity provision to the nation. I am happy to inform that Copota was reconnected today at around 10 am," he said.

"Zesa is a humane organisation and is sympathetic to vulnerable groups of society. In our efforts to collect revenue owed, each case is treated according to its merits."

Mr Gwasira declined to comment on the disconnected ministers.

Copota headmaster Mr Geffrey Chiwera said: "We were reconnected in the morning and I am happy that the pupils can concentrate on their education."
The institution relies on water pumped from Copota Dam using electric pumps.