ZESA doubles rates for electricity

By Tererai Karimakwenda
03 November 2006

The regulatory board of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority approved drastic increases in electricity charges which were announced Thursday. Electricity charges went up 95 percent for residential use and a shocking 270 percent for businesses. The new rates are effective from November 1.
The head of the Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Commission (ZERC), Mavis Chidzonga, said the increases were due to fast-rising costs involved in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. The report said these new prices should lead to fewer blackouts.
Mike Davies, chairman of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA) told us he was not surprised at the increases given that inflation is above 1000%. He believes the real rate is closer to 2000% taking into account the informal market. Davies said all these problems are a result of the failed policies of the Mugabe regime. And they should be held accountable for the increases. Davies said residents will be hit by many more increases in the coming months.

Asked why the residents accept these charges, Davies replied: “It is hard to boycott electricity because you need it. But other things like rates, water etcetera they don’t have to pay.” Davies does not believe the crisis will ever reach a point where it leads to a revolt. He said the nature of Zimbabweans is to find ways to cope. Others will get out if they can. He believes this is why most Zimbabweans above the age of 18, who have important skills, have left.

Regarding press reports that there is intense infighting within the ruling party over how to resolve the economic crisis, Davies said: “As the cake gets smaller squabbling will increase.” He does not foresee a total collapse of the system however. He said: “This is a long drawn out process but we do not want a Somalia or Sierra Leone to happen here.”

As for choices available to residents, Davies said CHRA has been careful to follow due process. First they petitioned government to listen and they did not. Then they appealed to the courts and they failed to protect the residents. Finally they sought help from parliament to force the executive and judiciary to respect the law, but that produced no results. Davies said this opens the way for civil disobedience. He believes residents must withhold their payments to the illegal commission at Town House. He also applauded Zimbabweans in the diaspora who are beginning to make some noise.