Bulawayo council faces power cuts

The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) risks further electricity disconnections as the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) enters the final phase of its prepaid meter installation programme, targeting all service points across the city — including essential infrastructure.

This development follows revelations that the local authority owes the power utility a staggering ZWG332,965,160, a debt it has failed to settle despite multiple reminders and meetings.

ZETDC is pushing ahead with the installation of prepaid meters at all service points with electrical loads below 100 Amps, a move aimed at curbing revenue loss and improving payment compliance. This includes sensitive sites such as traffic lights, which have already been switched off in several parts of the city, causing chaos and heightened risk for motorists in recent weeks.

In a letter dated May 28, 2025, addressed to Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube, ZETDC's Western Region warned of imminent action should the council continue to delay payment. The letter also confirmed that the rollout would be expanded to include Maximum Demand (MD) points, which are typically large energy consumers.

"We write to advise you that we are in the final phase of our prepaid meter installation project. This initiative involves retrofitting all points with less than 100 Amps, including sensitive and essential service points," reads part of the letter.

ZETDC added that each newly installed prepaid meter would come with a limited number of units — 50 units for single-phase meters and 200 for three-phase — after which the council will be required to settle its debt in full before purchasing additional tokens.

The shift to prepaid metering is part of ZETDC's broader strategy to modernise Zimbabwe's electricity infrastructure, reduce defaults, and ensure cost recovery for power supplied.

Responding to public concerns over non-functional traffic lights, BCC's corporate communications manager Mrs Nesisa Mpofu confirmed that ZETDC began converting conventional meters to prepaid systems for traffic lights and street lights last year. However, she said the council had not been given details on where or when installations would occur, making it difficult to respond promptly.

"The City of Bulawayo was made aware of the exercise in 2024 of converting traffic lights and street lights from conventional meters to prepaid metering. However, the City does not have a programme of works or schedule of the areas where ZETDC is working," said Mrs Mpofu.

She revealed that approximately ZWG3,000 per month is needed to keep a single set of traffic lights operational. The city, she added, has begun registering new prepaid meters in affected areas and is awaiting invoices from ZETDC to facilitate payment and token purchases.

The disconnection of power to essential services highlights the city's worsening financial woes and the potential risks posed to public safety. Residents have voiced frustration over uncontrolled intersections, especially during peak hours and adverse weather.

ZETDC's move sends a strong signal to all public institutions that failure to pay for electricity will no longer be tolerated, regardless of the sensitivity of the infrastructure involved.

As the standoff continues, the people of Bulawayo are caught in the middle — navigating dark intersections and an uncertain future unless urgent solutions are found.