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Hundreds of people who thronged Zesa offices in areas such as Bulawayo, Gweru and Harare seeking reconnection, were turned away as officials said they were not aware of the decision to have them reconnected. Chronicle was inundated with calls as Bulawayo residents sought clarification on the issue.
Mrs Molly Pirbright of Morningside suburb, said officials at the Zesa offices along Fife Street said the story was a “figment of imagination”.
“What is really happening? I am from Zesa and they are telling me their teams will be cutting power to residents in our area over outstanding bills. I owe $686,89.
“They told me they were not aware of the development that appeared in the paper,” said Mrs Pirbright.
When a Chronicle news team visited the Zesa office yesterday afternoon, disappointed residents were discussing the issue outside the office.
“They told me that the only true aspect of the story that they could readily confirm was that consumers owed the power utility more than $600 million,” said a man who declined to identify himself.
Pretending to be a customer, this reporter went to the enquiries section and was told the directive to stop disconnections had not been communicated to the office.
“We only saw it in the newspaper. We only act on directives when they come to us officially. As far as we are concerned, disconnections are continuing. We will only stop when an order comes from head office advising us to do so,” said the woman at the desk.
Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira referred questions to Minister Mangoma.
Contacted for comment, Minister Mangoma said Zesa should stop disconnections immediately as the exercise was a waste of resources.
“I want to find out who is doing the disconnections. The new meters are here and everyone, even those with debts will be hooked up. Making a trip to disconnect them would be a misuse of time and resources as another trip will soon be made to connect them with the new system,” said Minister Mangoma.
He said any bills owing would be input into the prepaid meter.
“There are two ways of getting connected. A consumer may carry over a debt and every time they buy electricity, 20 percent of the money will go towards clearing the arrears.
“Alternatively, a consumer may choose to clear the debt before connection. What then would be the rationale of using scarce resources to inconvenience people through disconnections?” asked Minister Mangoma.
He said it would make sense if the disconnection trips were made to reconnect residents in anticipation of the new meters.
Online Reporter