Kambuzuma residents petition ZETDC

Mathew Masinge

RESIDENTS of Kambuzuma Section 6 have petitioned the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) over suspicion that some employees at the power utility might have gone rogue.

This comes after the suburb was targeted by copper cable thieves, who got away with a 10-meter cable, which has seen more than 60 families enduring a weekend in darkness.

This is the second time in a month that the same area has reported ZESA cable theft.

In an interview with H-Metro, one of the residents, identified as Mudhara Hwanya, said they now suspect foul play.

“It’s only been two weeks since the first incident when the same cable was stolen and we were told to dig a 30cm trench, which we felt was too shallow for such a cable.

“However, thieves came back again to steal the replacement cable. 

“This has raised our concerns and we believe the same ZESA workers might have a hand in this case.

“We also fear for our children, who are now exposed to naked cables that have been left lying bare on the ground,” said Hwanya.

Another resident, Priscilla Chikoto, said their hopes to remain connected to the national grid hangs in the balance.

“We are losing our trust with the local power utility and we suspect that some of the workers are working in cahoots with the vandals.

“Our complaints are falling on deaf ears and some of the engineers are not offering us any solutions.

“We suggest that they give us a solution or even change from copper to aluminium so that we remain connected since we are paying for prepaid electricity,” said Chikoto.