adminZESA will this week embark on a nationwide exercise to cut power supplies to thousands of consumers owing the parastatal amounts above US$500 despite previous assurances the debts would be settled through part deductions from prepaid electricity recharge tokens. The parastatal said the move was meant to recover at least US$80 million monthly of the US$1,1 billion it is owed since the switch over to pre-paid meters.
It is understood that debtors already using prepaid meters will be cut from the stations’ system while those using the post-paid system will be disconnected from power lines.
Zesa spokesperson, Mr Fullard Gwasira said despite the prepayment system guaranteeing the power utility steady income inflows, debt recovery had been affected since customers were paying for the energy they would want to use.
“It is important to note that ZETDC gave a reprieve to customers by offering 30 percent amortisation for all purchases in 2009,” he said.
“But a customer owing $1 000 and buying electricity for $50 only pays $15 towards the debt per month. This means that this valued customer will need over five years to settle the debt.
“Affected customers are urged to engage the power utility to negotiate payment plans that would be loaded in the prepaid vending system. The system will only allow token purchases that meet the payment plan.”
Mr Gwasira said since the inception of prepaid meters, the power utility had only managed to recover 18 percent of the debt.
“ZEDTC has since realised $56 million through the prepaid electricity platform,”he said.
Zesa introduced electricity prepaid meters in 2012 in a bid to inculcate a culture of energy saving and to ensure guaranteed cash inflows as consumers pay in advance. — Harare Bureau
Online Reporter