ZESA Holdings has been given a 48-hour ultimatum to disconnect electricity supplying ore processing plants operating at Phoenix Prince Mine in Bindura, amid escalating claims that the activities are illegal and in defiance of government orders.
The ultimatum follows a statutory notice served on the ZESA Provincial Engineer for Mashonaland Central by Navid Incorporated, the appointed project manager for Freda Rebecca Gold Mine Limited, an entity under Mutapa Gold Resources. The notice invokes provisions of the Electricity (Distribution Code) Regulations, 2017, demanding immediate disconnection of power allegedly sustaining operations at Mining Lease 21 (ML21) or face regulatory action.
According to a notice by Navid Incorporated, the processing plants at Phoenix Prince Mine are not drawing electricity from Freda Rebecca’s supply, but instead from a ZESA connection installed and contracted specifically for Botha Gold Mine through Side Electricals (Private) Limited. This arrangement is said to be in direct violation of Clause 2.2.4(d) of the Distribution Code, which allows ZESA to disconnect supply where electricity is used outside the customer’s premises.
The situation is further complicated by the legal standing of Botha Gold Mine within the area. Provincial Mining Director Tendai Kashiri stated under oath on 22 April 2026 that Botha Gold Mine “has never acquired any mining rights within Mining Lease 21,” raising serious concerns about the legitimacy of operations currently being powered at the site.
Despite clear directives from authorities, the processing plants have reportedly remained active. On 8 April 2026, Provincial Mining Engineer E.T. Gota issued a Suspension Order under Statutory Instrument 109 of 1990, explicitly stating that no operations should resume without written authorization. This was followed by a Stop Order from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) after it was established that operations were being conducted without a valid Environmental Impact Assessment certificate. Kashiri’s sworn affidavit on 22 April reinforced that Botha Gold Mine has no legal basis to operate within ML21.
In its notice, Navid Incorporated demands that ZESA immediately disconnect the electricity supply linked to Botha Gold Mine that is allegedly powering the Phoenix Prince operations, provide written confirmation within 48 hours, disclose customer account and meter details associated with the supply point, and conduct a broader audit of all electricity connections within a five-kilometre radius of ML21.
The notice warns that continued supply of electricity would effectively mean ZESA is knowingly enabling operations that have already been prohibited by both the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and the Environmental Management Agency, exposing the utility to potential civil liability and regulatory sanctions from the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA).
Legal experts say the power utility may have little discretion in the matter. A Harare-based energy lawyer noted that Clause 2.2.4(d) places a clear obligation on ZESA to act where electricity is being used outside its intended premises, particularly in cases where such supply is linked to banned operations. The lawyer added that each day of continued supply increases the risk of legal consequences for the utility.
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“If power is being used off the customer’s premises, and the State has banned operations on that site, ZESA must disconnect. The law is clear. Every day of supply is a day of liability,” she said.
Mining Lease 21 is legally held by Freda Rebecca Gold Mine Limited, and the use of an external power connection tied to another entity to process ore at the site is being viewed as both a breach of electricity regulations and a mechanism enabling illegal mining on a state-controlled asset.
The 48-hour deadline is expected to expire within days, after which the matter is set to be escalated to ZERA and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development for enforcement action if ZESA fails to comply.
ZESA Engineer Chirunga acknowledged knowing the issue.
“I know the issue and it’s being attended here at the workshop. It’s beyond my pay grade, my bosses are dealing with it,” he said.
