Uproar over Zesa pre-paid meters

So far the programme has covered Mahatshula and Waterford suburbs.

The residents are convinced that the power utility wants to use the new system to force them to pay outstanding bills.

Zesa spokesperson Mr Fullard Gwasira yesterday said they had received the first batch of 24 000 meters for the project, which is expected to be completed within 10 months countrywide.

Zesa contracted a South African company, Landis and Gear and four other companies to supply the meters.

“This is a countrywide project where we are installing pre-paid meters for our clients. Four companies are supplying the meters which are coming in batches and we are expecting another batch which is supposed to be double or three times the first one of 24 000 meters,” said Mr Gwasira.

The Zesa spokesperson said there were no targeted areas but they would start with new users and those using faulty meters.

“We have priority customers that we are focusing on. These are new customers especially in new suburbs who are not yet connected to the main grid and those with faulty meters that need replacing. The rest would then be covered later but the whole project should be completed within 10 months,” said Mr Gwasira.

He urged electricity users not to install the meters on their own but wait for the power utility company to do that.

“Residents should be patient and avoid negotiating with Zesa staff or anyone to get the pre-paid meters because they will be duped,” said Mr Gwasira.

When Chronicle visited the Zesa banking hall in the city centre yesterday, disgruntled electricity users were asking about the new system where they were told they could only start buying electricity units after clearing outstanding balances.

They said they were shocked when Zesa officials told them electricity units would only be credited to their new accounts after they clear the debts.

An official, speaking on condition of anonymity said all clients would be serviced once the priority ones were complete.

Mr Beki Shiku Tshuma from Mahatshula said a pre-paid meter was installed at his house on Saturday.

“They installed the meter on Saturday but did not say anything about clearing the debt. All they told us was that once the five units they credited to our account are finished, we should come and top up. To my surprise, I came today intending to top up with $20 but I was told that the money would go towards my outstanding bill of $185,” he said.

“Right now I do not know where I will get that money and that means we will be without electricity until we pay up.”

Another client, Mrs Sipho Sibindi also from Mahatshula, said the medium density suburb was almost a “dark city” because of the new meters.

“Many people now do not have electricity because Zesa wants us to clear arrears first. We do not know for how long we will be without electricity because they have told us that we can make arrangements but we will only be able to top up when we pay the last instalment,” said Mrs Sibindi.

However, Mr Gwasira said electricity users could still top up while paying up their outstanding arrears.

He said the new meters have a facility whereby part of the money would go towards clearing the debt.

“When they pay, part of the money goes towards the outstanding debt just like banks do to their customers but the difference is we are not taking all of it,” said Mr Gwasira.

Those who got pre-paid meters were given cards written pre-paid VIP and are expected to complete some forms at Zesa offices to be registered and get accounts.

The new pre-paid meters are already credited with five units of electricity.

Zesa also has another project of distributing energy saver bulbs to consumers free of charge as it moves to reduce electricity usage in the country.

The power utility’s billing system is mostly based on estimates, a situation that has created tension between the power utility and consumers.

Zesa reportedly should be billing at least one million properties but thousands of residential and commercial property owners are reportedly illegally connected, while others bypass electricity meters.

Domestic and commercial electricity consumers owe Zesa about $550 million.