Solarlux Solutions, which installed solar street-lights in
Chitungwiza, is accused by the local authority of vandalising them after a
contractual dispute.
The company installed the street-lights at Makoni Shopping
Centre along Seke and Mharapara roads.
Chitungwiza entered into a contractual agreement with
Solarlux for the provision of the lights at Makoni.
Based on the contract, the solar company was supposed to
provide, erect and install solar street lights and in return, recoup its
investment from advertising revenue that would be generated from bill boards
mounted on the lights.
Chitungwiza Municipality acting town clerk Dr Tonderai Kasu
told The Herald that the agreement also stated that ownership of all the street
lights and all associated physical infrastructure would eventually be
transferred to council.
“The municipality therefore became concerned when Solarlux
instructed one of its employees to vandalise the street lights by removing
fixtures and components of the street lights.
“This action on the part of Solarlux was unlawful, and by
removing components of the street lights, Solarlux was in breach of contract
given that it states that ownership of the street lights and associated
physical infrastructure is supposed to
eventually be transferred to the municipality,” said Dr Kasu.
He said alert municipal police officers arrested and
referred to the Zimbabwe Republic Police the suspects.
The matter is still under police investigation and
Chitungwiza expects that the criminal docket will be presented to court as soon
as investigations are completed.
However, Solarlux head of operations Mr Fidelis Ruwaze
denied the allegations.
“Well, that is not true. We actually wrote a letter to the
council notifying them that we will be removing them due to vandalism and theft
at the site and we proceeded to do so then we surrendered the equipment to the
council for safe keeping,” said Ruwaze.
“We also have a letter as evidence from the council
acknowledging receipt.”
Residents such as Alice Kuveya, director of Chitungwiza
Residents Trust (CHITREST) says the tiff between Chitungwiza and the solar
energy company was now endangering the lives of residents.
“Residents are living in fear as thieves are prowling those
areas,” said Kuveya. Chitungwiza has 216 tower lights and the municipality has
an ongoing programme of works to maintain these tower lights.
The municipality’s long-term plan is to have street lights
on Tilcor Road, Mharapara Road, and all other major roads in Chitungwiza.
The estimated cost of this project is about US$500 000.
Herald
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