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When a Chronicle news crew toured the area on Friday, crops and vegetables covering 10 hectares at one farm were starting to wilt.
Mr Bernard Ncube of Green Valley Farm expressed disappointment over Zesa’s actions.
“Zesa disconnected power on Tuesday. We tried to engage them several times but to no avail. We are keen to pay but our winter crops were a write-off since they were hit by frost,” said Mr Ncube.
He said the pumps which draw water from underground were down hence vegetables, which include tomatoes, beetroot, carrots and cabbages had begun to wilt.
“We owe the power utility $10 000 which we had intended to pay at the end of October through profits from the harvest of two hectares of cabbages. However this move by Zesa amounts to sabotage since they deliberately cut power at a time our crops and vegetables needed water most,” said Mr Ncube.
Another farmer at Magwilini Farm, Mrs Betty Ngwenya, said they were planning to buy generators to power the pumps on the farm since the Zesa charge was too high.
“Zesa is charging us too much for the little electricity we use. They should consider that we are poor and not charge us commercial rates. I have already sold three head of cattle in an effort to cover the debt,” said Mrs Ngwenya.
She said vegetables and crops had already been affected and if they do not get power reconnected they would not reap what they expected.
“If we do not get power reconnected we will not get the yields we expected. It will be difficult to raise the required money to settle the debt,” said Mrs Ngwenya.
Zesa spokesperson, Mr Fullard Gwasira said the power utility was abiding by the directive from the Ministry of Energy and Power Development not to disconnect farmers with outstanding bills.
“Farmers as customers should acknowledge the need to settle debts. We note that disconnecting them would be disastrous to the agriculture industry. Disconnected farmers should approach relevant authorities within the power utility to negotiate a payment plan and engage their district offices for reconnection,” said Mr Gwasira.
Online Reporter