Bulawayo residents raise alarm over ZESA transformer thefts

Residents of Pumula North have voiced outrage over the increasing theft of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) infrastructure and what they describe as a lack of transparency and accountability in the utility's repair processes.

During a heated community meeting held at Pumula North Hall on Wednesday, locals expressed frustration over being asked to pay for the repair and replacement of ZESA equipment  -  expenses they argue should be borne by the power utility.

Ephraim Mpofu, one of the residents, said the community had to raise funds after thieves stole power cables in the area. Households were asked to contribute US$3 each, but the service delivered, he said, fell far short of what they paid for.

"We went door to door collecting the money. ZESA officials told us to come on Monday. We did and paid, but they didn't show up for three or four days," Mpofu said. "When they finally arrived, they brought old wires that had been joined together. We had paid for new wires, not old ones."

Other residents echoed his concerns, alleging ZESA officials either failed to deliver promised services or provided substandard materials despite receiving community funds.

Eliias Nyathi, who is on a fixed ZESA plan, shared a similar experience. "We were told a new pole would be installed, and the hole dug should be four to five metres deep," he said. "But ZESA only came to connect a few wires. Although the transformer was eventually fixed, we overpaid for incomplete services. It felt dishonest. I suspect corruption."

Steven Bhebhe questioned the legality of the arrangement altogether. "Is it lawful for residents to buy spare parts for ZESA infrastructure? Isn't that ZESA's responsibility?" he asked.

Responding to the mounting complaints, a ZESA official at the meeting acknowledged the delays and said the utility uses a scheme to ease service delivery pressures.

"Sometimes, it takes a long time to acquire parts, and residents don't want to wait. So we introduced the Customer Materials Scheme, which allows residents to pay for parts upfront. These costs are then reimbursed through future electricity bills," the official explained. "For instance, if you pay US$5, your next bill may include that amount."

The official also addressed accusations of corruption, urging residents to report such cases directly to the police or ZESA's Loss Control unit, which works in partnership with law enforcement.

"Our offices do not handle corruption complaints directly. But if someone demands payment, residents should request an official ZESA quotation and the names of those involved. We expect our staff to be transparent," the official said.

Regarding the reuse of old materials, the representative emphasized that residents have the right to demand the quality they paid for.

"If you pay for new wires and ZESA provides old ones, report it immediately. We are required to deliver new materials. Any materials bought by residents should be registered and stored at our depot."

Despite the explanations, residents said they will remain vigilant and continue to demand better service and accountability from ZESA, especially as the community grapples with the dual threat of vandalism and inconsistent electricity supply.