ZESA Holdings has begun installing pre-paid electricity meters in Spitzkop high-density suburb in Gwanda in a project set to take two weeks. OWN CORRESPONDENT
The power utility announced its programme through a loud hailer around town on Sunday morning urging residents to co-operate with meter installers.
“Please be advised that the exercise to install pre-paid meters has begun and it will last two weeks. You are therefore advised that engineers will be coming to your homes,” the Zesa official bellowed.
The news of pre-paid electricity meter installation was met with mixed feelings by the town’s residents with some hailing it as a good move that would allow people to pay just for the power use while others said it would make life difficult for them as they would go for long periods in the dark should they fail to buy electricity.
“I think it’s a good move as people will now be able to account for the power they are using. We have been getting astronomic bills from Zesa and we will now be able to pay for what we consume through the installation of pre-paid meters,” said Barbra Siziba of Spitzkop.
Others felt the move was likely to affect many households due to the prevailing economic hardships.
“We have gone for six months without pay and how will we be able to buy power when we are not being paid? We risk staying in the dark now as there isn’t room for making payment plans with Zesa under the current arrangement,” said a council employee, who requested anonymity.
