Dennis Ndlovu| Zim GBC News
City of Kwekwe Mayor, Councillor Albert Zinhanga, has commended the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) for improving engagement with local authorities, but cautioned against the installation of prepaid electricity meters at critical water treatment facilities, saying such a move could expose residents to severe water shortages.
Speaking during ZERA’s pre-strategic stakeholder consultation and feedback workshop held in Bulawayo, Cllr Zinhanga said the regulator’s outreach efforts were welcome, particularly its initiative to engage local governments directly.
“This was my first time seeing a ZERA official come into my office to present their regional office and their work. As local authorities, we were so excited when they set up appointments to meet us,” he said.
Cllr Zinhanga emphasised the importance of collaboration between regulators and municipalities, saying engagement helps local governments craft informed policies and by-laws that align with developments in other sectors.
“Even local governments that make by-laws need input from stakeholders. We also need to know what is happening in other ministries and the changes taking place. Not everyone has the time or resources to research every new policy, so ZERA’s engagement gives us a positive line of thinking,” he said.
The Mayor also applauded ZERA for its corporate social responsibility initiatives, which include solarising schools, promoting public safety, and sponsoring students at the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT).
“As local authorities, we appreciate their social responsibility work. These programmes show they are not only focused on regulation but also contributing to community development,” he said.
However, Cllr Zinhanga raised concerns over ZESA’s proposed plan under ZERA’s oversight to install prepaid meters at Cities water treatment plants, warning that such a measure could have serious consequences for public health and service delivery.
“We are saying it will be very dangerous if they put a prepaid meter at the water treatment plant. If the credit runs out during the weekend, the whole city could go without water for days,” said the Mayor.
He added that while prepaid systems may be appropriate for some council facilities, they should not be installed at essential service points such as water treatment plants and hospitals.
“They can put prepaid meters anywhere else in council, but not at the treatment plant. Water is for everyone, and we must keep people afloat with water. The same applies to hospitals services that are essential to life should not be disrupted because of prepaid systems,” he said.
Cllr Zinhanga also called on power utilities to remember their moral and social obligations, saying public utilities like ZESA should not operate purely as profit-driven entities.
“ZESA is not a profit organisation; its mandate includes ensuring safety and service continuity. But if they approach everything as business saying ‘you collect money there, we collect money here’ then we lose sight of the moral obligation to serve the people,” he said.
The Mayor reiterated that City Councils is open to finding workable payment models for electricity, provided they do not compromise access to water.
“We are ready to pay using any reasonable formula they propose, but residents must never be left without water,” he said
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