Online Reporter
Prosper Dembedza-Herald Correspondent
A ZESA Holdings employee stationed at Zengeza 2 in Chitungwiza, Wellington Tsaurai Chinyemba (37), is facing bribery charges after allegedly soliciting US$300 from a person whose house had an illegal electricity connection.
Chinyemba appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Jessie Kufa and was granted US$100 bail.
The State alleges that on March 14, Chinyemba visited house number 6688 Gakava Close, St Mary’s, Chitungwiza, where he found a tenant Tsvakirai Tembo and observed an illegal connection to the ZESA supply grid.
He reportedly disconnected supplies and gave Tembo his contact number, 0775 225 367, instructing him to refer the matter to the property owner, Clever Mpofu.
Tembo then contacted the complainant to resolve the issue with ZESA and provided Chinyemba’s number.
When the complainant called, Chinyemba allegedly explained that the property’s connection bypassed proper channels and allowed electricity during load shedding. He is said to have informed the complainant that about US$550 in fines was due to ZESA because of the illegal connection and that US$300 would be required to clear the dues and to have the property reconnected.
Suspecting impropriety, the complainant visited ZESA’s Loss Control office on March 16 and spoke to a Mr Shepherd Mabunjwa, who advised that the money demanded was not due to any ZESA employee and that Chinyemba’s conduct was unprocedural.
A report was then lodged with the Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission (ZACC).
ZACC investigators set up a controlled operation. On March 17, Chinyemba reportedly contacted the complainant on mobile numbers 0773 732 709 and 0712 651 917, instructing him to meet at the ZESA Training Centre in Belvedere with the US$300. Investigators obtained a trap authority and provided the complainant with three US$100 notes — used as trap money and recorded by serial numbers PE61033797E, PE28701063E and PB82410349M — to deliver to Chinyemba.
In the presence of ZACC officers, the complainant met Chinyemba in the visitors’ car park at the training centre. Investigators positioned themselves in a nearby vehicle and watched as Chinyemba approached the complainant’s car.
The complainant handed over the trap money and Chinyemba was immediately intercepted. Officers identified themselves, searched him and recovered the marked notes from the left back pocket of his jeans.
They then showed him the trap authority and photocopies of the trap money before placing him under arrest.
Further inquiries indicated that Chinyemba had previously visited the same household in November 2025, citing a faulty connection and attempting to carry out repairs.
Investigators found no paperwork or notification left by Chinyemba documenting the visit or any authorised intervention, raising additional concerns about his conduct.
The State’s case centres on allegations that Chinyemba knowingly solicited money for personal gain under the pretext of clearing purported fines and facilitating reconnection, rather than following established ZESA procedures.
The matter will return to court as investigations continue and additional evidence is gathered.
Chinyemba remains in custody on the bribery charge subject to the US$100 bail granted by the magistrate.
