By Savious Madanhire
A coalition of Gweru residents, students, business owners, activists, and senior citizens has petitioned the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) Southern Division Regional Manager, Engineer Kasipo, over persistent power outages.
The petition, supported by Gweru District Administrator, Officer Commanding Gweru District Zimbabwe Republic Police, Gweru Urban Member of Parliament Hon J. Makombe Mkoba South Member of Parliament Hon J. Kuka Mkoba North Member of Parliament Hon E. Ncube, His Worship Mayor of Gweru Cllr M. Chivhoko, and the media, demands reduced power outages and a reliable power supply.
Signatories include Justine Mhondiwa, Benoni Ncube, Anna Mtigwa, Thulani Dlodlo, Munyaradzi Zishamba, Shingayi Tarusarira, Liberty Kanda, Moses Njini, Promise Ncube, Mbuya Matamba, Peter Ncube, and Mr. Musariri.
Residents from Mkoba, Senga, Claremont, Ascot and surrounding areas are frustrated with the 17-hour daily outages, citing devastating impacts on small businesses like butcheries, grinding mills and ice cream vendors.
The power outages have also worsened Gweru’s water crisis, exposing residents to health risks and criminal activities hence residents urge ZETDC to dedicate a power line to the city’s water treatment and pumping stations.
The acting spokesperson, media, information and publicity Justine Mhondiwa, emphasized the community’s desperation for a reliable power supply therefore highlighting challenges associated with the power outages.
“The majority of us purchased our ZETDC tokens expecting reliable, uninterrupted and timely power supply hence we expect service delivery since we recharged our tokens and settled our dues.”
“The impact of these prolonged power supply outages has been devastating for small businesses. Many small businesses have suffered substantial Financial losses which led to some being forced to retrench workers, while in extreme cases some had been forced to close their operations entirely.”
“We are conscious of the students at all levels who are busy writing critical and crucial end-of-year examinations. While some students are struggling to study, and some find it difficult to study in the dark without electricity.”
The petition adds, “We are convinced that in other Southern region areas are experiencing significantly less disruption to their power supply such as Woodlands, Antelope Park, Dabuka, Kopje, Lundi Park, Lower Gweru and other areas.”
Gweru residents stated that through constant engagement at Council meetings, the power supply shortages have also hindered the city of Gweru the ability to pump water.
“We the residents of Gweru are convinced that the Zero Water effects expose residents particularly women and young ladies to criminals, murders and rapists while searching for water at various alternative water sources and worse they could be ambushed at some nearby bushes while relieving themselves.”
The petition went on to cite the residents of Gweru’s desire, plea and prayer, which is “To take appropriate measures, within the limits of their available resources to reduce the 17 hours of power outages and uninterrupted power supply during the week from 6:00 PM -07:00 AM, full power supply on weekends and public holidays.”
“Create a platform for engagement in dialogue with all stakeholders including the residents and the priorities and dedicate a special operational direct power supply, which is not interrupted or shredded to the city of Gweru water treatment and pumping stations.”
However, Gweru residents plead for a fixed schedule and clear communication from ZETDC warning them to prepare rather than just striking darkness without notice and leaving them in a state of uncertainty.
