By Savious Madanhire
The Midlands Province has witnessed a surge in electrical accidents, resulting in the loss of lives and injuries primarily caused by fallen poles and electricity live wires.
The most common cause of these accidents is fallen electrical poles, which often expose live wires and pose a deadly threat to unsuspecting pedestrians.
Despite efforts by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to maintain and upgrade the electrical infrastructure, the problem persists.
Speaking during an Energy Sustainability workshop at Driefontein Primary School, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA), Regional Electricity Inspector Wellington Nyamakawu, gave statistics of electricity accidents that resulted in loss of lives and also injuries encountered in 2024 and recently in 2025.
“According to statistics in Midlands Province, 2024 saw a total of 25 electrical incidents in the Midlands province, resulting in four fatalities and 12 injuries but the degree of injuries differed as some became disabled, while some had hand injuries.
Additionally, 9 animals such as cows and donkeys lost their lives in these incidents. This year, six electrical accidents have already been reported, with the most recent incident occurring in Zhombe.”
“In this latest incident, a husband and wife were traveling in a donkey-pulled cart at night when the donkeys stepped on fallen wires and were electrocuted.
The couple then managed to jump out of the cart but sustained injuries from the fall. Therefore, as rains persist electricity poles fall due to age and others due to ground loosening hence they shake or fall,” he added.
In the meantime, residents are advised to exercise extreme caution when approaching fallen electrical poles or live wires.
“Electricity can’t be seen, people with electric experience also encounter some problems as well hence the majority of the people who faced incidents here in the Midlands especially fatal incidents of death, most of them don’t even have electricity at their home.
Instead, they encounter fallen poles or live wires while going about their daily lives because electricity cannot be seen,” Eng Nyamakawu stated.
To address this issue and other areas of concern that threaten public safety, Eng Nyamakawu touched on four sections that the public should take into consideration to achieve public safety in terms of electricity and accidents.
“The four sections I want to talk about is the prohibition of unauthorized connections which is whereby there is a structure already built then one extends or builds another structure outside and then extends as well electrically without the inspection and authorization by ZESA, it is a crime and they are penalties for that because one might cause future risks.”
Additionally, Eng Nyamakawu emphasized the importance of periodic inspections of existing connections. “Houses should be inspected every ten years to ensure that the wiring is still in good condition and does not pose a risk to occupants.”
“The public of the importance of maintaining a safe distance from power lines (Proximity to power lines) hence the way leave 11kv should be 10 meters which is 5m from each side and 33kv it’s 15m which is 7.5 m per side however according to the law, no person shall place an object carry any business or activity or farm on the prescribed way leave the area,” he added.
Nationwide, electrical accidents remain a significant concern. At least three people die every month in Zimbabwe from electricity-related incidents, with 45% of these incidents being caused by the public.
