ZESA blocks pre-paid meters to recover debts

Thousands of electricity users were last week caught unawares when Zesa Holdings blocked their pre-paid meter accounts to force them to settle debts within six months.

Those affected were ordered to fork out figures ranging between US$2 000 and US$5 000 as part of stringent debt recovery measures.

This is despite a Government directive that compels Zesa to recover debts by deducting 25 percent of the value of power purchased by defaulters under the pre-paid metering system.

The arrangement encourages customers to purchase power regularly, thereby bringing income into the power utility’s coffers while also reducing indebtedness.

Mrs Evelyn Chidembo of Kadoma said she was asked to pay US$2 600, while another resident of that town, Mr Enoch Machingura, said: “I wanted to buy electricity for US$20. I was then told that my account had been blocked as I still owe Zesa a substantial amount.

“The teller told me that I was only able to buy electricity worth US$200 or more, a figure which had already been calculated by the company and installed on my account.’’

Zesa managing director Engineer Julian Chimbiri said the “overzealous” officials demanding the huge sums were acting illegally as the institution should abide by Government directives.

“I have heard that there are some overzealous officials who have blocked customers’ accounts, but this is not our policy.

“I do not know where they got that idea. In fact, I am investigating these officials. I have directed that they unblock people’s accounts immediately and revert to the 25 percent recovery rate or else they lose their jobs as this was done outside Zesa policy,” he said.

“Nothing has changed. If there are customers whose accounts remain blocked after this article is published, I appeal to them to approach managers at Zesa offices in their respective areas.”

An official at Zesa Kadoma said defaulters should arrange payment plans.

“We blocked the accounts so that people come forward to give us their payment plans; otherwise it will take years for us to recover the money. We have given customers up to six months to clear their arrears.”