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Zesa Holdings is set to lose millions of dollars after the State Procurement Board blocked the firm from buying 30 000 prepaid meters directly from companies that have them.
Industry experts have warned that the move will create a black market for prepaid meters as some contractors are working in cahoots with Zesa employees to charge desperate customers between $300 and $500 to install the units.
These revelations also come as the SPB has been accused of delaying the announcement of the winning bids for the solar tender projects.
As a stop gap measure, the power utility wanted to directly buy 30 000 meters from their initial contractors at a cost of $2 million.
Some new customers are reportedly connecting themselves illegally on the power utility’s network with Zesa pocketing nothing.
A survey by The Herald showed that electricity consumers prefer prepaid meters to estimate bills.
Zesa has more than 4 000 faulty meters and 80 000 points still to have meters installed in Harare and the western region. Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira has since warned consumers to desist from buying prepaid units from the public or contractors.
“As we have run out of the units waiting for the tender, Zesa wishes to remind customers that pre-paid meters are currently being installed for free and should report to the police or Zesa any unscrupulous personnel or contractor demanding payment.
The initial contractors-Solahart, Finmark and Nyamazela of South Africa — were contracted to install 500 000 meters and have successfully completed their task.
The local companies have since lauded the Government for showing a vote of confidence in the ability of the indigenous companies to spearhead the economic development drive.
The project created job opportunities for several unemployed people helping in the growth of indigenous companies in the process.
Online Reporter