RESIDENTS of Gweru’s Mtapa high-density suburb have petitioned power utility company, Zesa Holdings for cutting electricity supplies to most homes over unpaid bills, The Southern Eye has learnt.
BY STEPHEN CHADENGA
Gweru United Progressive Residents and Ratepayers’ Development Association Trust executive director, David Chikore said most of the affected families were vulnerable groups, whose houses have no prepaid meters.
“We are concerned that, while it is within your powers and rights to seek to recover money owed, the blitz was not well-thought out, as some key social considerations were evidently not factored in your decision-making process,” part of the petition dated March 29 and addressed to the Zesa district manager, read.
“Your operation failed to take into consideration of the fact that the people, who would be most affected are the economically-challenged vulnerable members of the already-impoverished Mtapa community. No consideration was given that your blitz would compromise the livelihoods of the aged, orphans, widows, people living with HIV and Aids and people living with disabilities.”
Chikore blamed Zesa for failing to instal prepaid meters in some sections of the suburb, arguing that if the installation had been done, the bills would not have ballooned to such levels.
Investigations by Southern Eye revealed that most of the affected families are in the oldest sections of the suburb, with some residents owing the power utility over $1 000.
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company southern region marketing officer, Edward Nyoni had not responded to questions sent to him at the time of going to print.
