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. Gibson Mhaka
A Bulawayo man who was switched off by Zesa over non-payment of bills in June last year was arrested on Friday last week for allegedly enjoying free electricity for over a year.
Clench Phiri (61, ABOVE) was reportedly in the habit of reconnecting electricity in the dead of the night and disconnecting it in the morning.
It is reported that from the period extending from June last year to May this year, at house Number 339 in Nguboyenja, Phiri tempered with electric service lines when he restored power disconnected at his house.
According to sources, Phiri was allegedly tapping electrical power leading to his neighboura��s house.
It is reported that a Zesa security team got wind of the alleged crime from residents and investigations led to his arrest.
Criminal charges have since been filed against him under CR 99/ 05/ 16 at Mzilikazi Police Station.
Upon his arrest Phiri reportedly admitted that he had been doing it from the time Zesa disconnected power from his house.A� It was also leant that Phiri owed Zesa about $990.
He is yet to appear before the court facing charges of contravening section 60A (1) (c) of the Electricity Act Chapter 13:19 which criminalises the reconnecting of power without Zesaa��s authority. A mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years is given to those violating the law.
derick.khumalo