BY STEVE EPHRAEM
ZETDC Commercial Manager for Masvingo and Mutare, Mr Gibson Runesu revealed this during a consumer education workshop that was held at Breezes Lodge in Chipinge on April 3, 2023 courtesy of Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) in collaboration with Chipinge Business and Residents Trust (CBRET).
In his presentation, Mr Runesu indicated that the smart meter migration which shall be intensified from June 2023 shall help to curb electricity thefts by consumers.
“Smart metering system has many benefits which include being able to read from central server so consumers can measure their electricity usage easily. As a company, we can easily detect whenever a consumer is tempering with our system or engages in unapproved supply of service (illegal by-passes). The system enables us to switch-off such customers who do illegal things.
“Smart metres can be operated in post paid or prepaid mode. We don’t sell meters to the consumers. It is only in case of shortage that a customer can be asked to source a meter or weather deck. In such cases, the customer shall be reimbursed his/her cost in form of electric units equivalent to the cost incurred,” he said.
Chipinge Business Community chairperson Mr James Gabaza asked ZERA to hold regular workshops for the community.
CBRET Programme Manager, Gracious Gora, thanked ZERA, ZETDC and Chipinge residents for responding to the need of the interface.
“We are humbled by ZERA and ZETDC for coming to elaborate issues which affect our residents on energy use. This has helped to strengthen the relationship between ZETDC and its clients. Also, we thank the residents for coming in their numbers. We hope that more interfaces shall be held in the near future,” she said.