Modi mingles with Sidojiwe Flats residents

INDUSTRY and Commerce Deputy Minister Cde Raj Modi on Monday brought smiles to Sidojiwe Flats residents who had gone for more than four months without electricity when he paid their $8 million electricity bill.

The deputy minister also pledged to pay $15 million towards the $65 million outstanding bill for the other flat.

Zesa had switched off the two flats over the arrears and the one owing $65 million was switched off more than two years ago.

Residents were now living in fear of being mugged while school-going children no longer had time to do their homework or study at night.

On Monday, Cde Modi brought their misery to an end when he cleared their bill resulting in power being restored.

Cde Modi who is the sitting MP for Bulawayo South, will contest for the seat in the August 23 elections under the Zanu-PF ticket.

Sidojiwe Flats, which were named after Prince Sidojiwe Khumalo, son of the last Ndebele monarch, King Lobengula, were constructed in 1952.

Accompanied by the Zanu PF candidate for Ward 5 in the local authority Cde Archie Chiponda, Cde Modi visited Sidojiwe Flats on Monday evening to deliver the exciting news to the residents.

“Those flats have been without electricity for two years and four months respectively so Cde Modi has taken it upon himself to assist these residents, most of whom do not have an income. The other flat was immediately switched on after the bill was cleared while engagements with Zesa are ongoing to have power restored to the other flat,” said Cde Chiponda.

This is not the first time that Cde Modi has used his personal resources to assist Sidojiwe Flats residents. He constructed ablution facilities and also connected water pipes to the flats.

In interviews, residents could not hide their joy following the gesture.

Ms Martha Muzhindu, who is also a member of the flat’s residents association responsible for health issues, said the past four months have been hell for them as they had to endure darkness.

She said some occupants were struggling to raise money to buy firewood or gas and constantly relied on the benevolence of neighbours.

“We don’t even know when and where to start in terms of thanking Cde Modi. He has such a kind heart and he also listens to challenges faced by the people, especially if those issues are brought to his attention,” said Ms Muzhindu.

She said now that they have electricity, people’s social lives will change for the better as they now have time to entertain themselves by watching television.

Another resident, Mr Cephas Dhire said a huge financial burden has been taken off their shoulders.

“Some may say this is just electricity and therefore nothing to write home about, but for us, we are so happy and excited. Life has not been easy for the residents here as we were more like slaves in our own homes,” he said.

“All our household chores had to be done before sunset and it was worse during the rainy season particularly for those who didn’t have gas stoves.”

Mr Dhire quizzed Zesa’s billing system, saying it was unjustifiable.

“How does a bill go up when the meter would not have moved an inch? Zesa guys are just estimating these bills and authorities need to look into that,” he said.