POWER utility Zesa could soon embark on massive
disconnections in an effort to recover over $1,2 billion owed to it by
defaulting customers, most of whom are Cabinet ministers and top civil
servants.
Energy minister Fortune Chasi has called on Zesa to cut its
loses and start switching off all those who are failing to settle bills as the
nation plunges into darkness owing to a
critical electricity shortage.
“Zesa has a legal obligation to cut its loses, it cannot
continue to supply power to people who do not pay. Switching off not paying
customers is a real option, be warned, this is
regardless of what or who you are,” Chasi said on Twitter.
The warning from Chasi comes amid revelations that
government ministers and many top Zanu PF leaders owe Zesa large sums of money.
The power utility has been unable to recover debts from the
ministers, government institutions and farms owned by high level party members
resultantly forcing Zesa to default on its own debts with Mozambique and South Africa power utilities.
Zimbabwe owes close to US$80 million to both South Africa
and Mozambique, who have since cut off power supplies to the country, leaving
the nation to endure prolonged hours of load-shedding.
Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira said the minister was the
principal who administers the power utility and his word was final.
“If the minister says it, we will implement. Zesa is a
parastatal administered by the minister, he is the principal so if he speaks we
implement,” he said.
Gwasira said he was unable to comment on how the
disconnections will be conducted, referring further questions to the minister.
“That information will be best answered by the person who
said it. It will be unfair for you to ask me that question,” he said. Newsday
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