Power disconnections loom

applied wholesomely to ensure that all customer categories meet their obligation of paying for service rendered. All customers currently in arrears run the risk of disconnections.” Minister Mangoma said the disconnections will be done after a five-day notice.
Zesa, he said, was banking on money it is owed by its customers to settle its debt with HCB because Government was broke.
“Plans have been put in place to ensure that Zesa conforms to an agreed payment plan. Currently, the debt stands at about US$80 million, down from US$100 million a few months ago,” he said.
“A further payment of US$40 million is planned for in the near future and arrangements for this are at an advanced stage. The HCB debt has to be serviced well if we are to avoid disconnection.
“A delegation of HCB is coming this Sunday for further negotiations with Zesa and we need to provide a concrete payment plan.”
Minister Mangoma said Zesa was definitely going to disconnect defaulters.
“To avoid disconnection, or for those who have been disconnected, so as to be reconnected, a minimum down payment of 25 percent of the total bill has to be paid.
“Balance has to be paid in an approved payment plan with Zesa for a period not exceeding six months. Any customer who breaches the payment plan will be disconnected immediately without further notice. Current bills must be paid in full,” he said.
Minister Mangoma said the ministry has taken a position to switch off all defaulters.
“This policy will be applied to all customers fairly, without fear or favour. May I make it clear that the current disconnection exercise is not sparing anyone,” he said.
Minister Mangoma, last week, told the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy that some Government ministers and senior civil servants were refusing to pay their electricity bills with others owing the power utility as much as US$100 000.
Minister Mangoma said his ministry has received information that some of the Zesa bills were inaccurate while others were fraudulent. He said he has directed Zesa to attend to all queries to the satisfaction of customers.
The minister said the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company has concluded contract negotiations with successful bidders on the prepaid metering project.
The ministry intends to have the meters installed over 18 months.
“Zesa has since exhausted the 10 000 prepaid meters it had in its inventory and is concluding negotiations with four suppliers of meters over installation,” said Minister Mangoma.