Chronicle Editor
Sinokubonga Nkala [email protected]
A MAN from Mvuma, Midlands province, has been slapped with a 6-month-prison sentence for bypassing an electricity meter and stealing 364 units of electricity worth ZiG 1 237.60.
The Electricity Act prohibits tampering with or diverting electricity supply, or using illegally obtained electricity, making such actions illegal.
On 26 March 2024, Kudakwashe Choga removed the electricity line conductor that supplied electricity current through the meter and illegally connected it directly to the load, effectively bypassing the meter that recorded electricity consumption, allowing him to avoid paying for the electricity which led to his arrest.
In an official statement on X, the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) said, “Kudakwashe Choga (50) was arraigned before the Mvuma Magistrates’ Court for contravening the Electricity Act. The Act states that it is illegal to “abstract or divert any electric current or cause any electric current to be abstracted or diverted, or knowingly use any electric current which has been unlawfully abstracted or diverted.”
“During the period extending from 26 March 2024 to the 2nd of May 2024, the accused person removed the electricity line conductor which supplied electricity current through the meter and connected it directly with the load, thereby bypassing the meter recording electricity consumption and avoiding paying for it. The accused person prejudiced ZETDC 364 units of electricity current with a total value of ZiG 1 237.60.
“The accused person was sentenced to 6 months imprisonment. 4 months of this was suspended on condition that he restitutes ZiG 1 237.60 on or before 30 November 2024.”
Online Reporter