Broke ZESA to retrench workers

By Tererai Karimakwenda
24 January 2007

Zimbabweans are bracing for darkness after the acting chairman of the country’s power authority admitted ZESA has no money. Speaking to journalists at a televised press conference Tuesday, Acting ZESA chairman Christopher Chetsenga said there is no foreign currency to import spare parts and necessary repairs were long overdue. He blamed the cash shortages on the low tariffs being charged for electricity. Supplies from neighbours who supply almost half of Zimbabwe’s power needs have been drastically reduced. Coal shortages at several stations have further scaled down power generation and the result is that hundreds of ZESA workers are expected to lose their jobs.
Our correspondent Simon Muchemwa, who watched the press conference on state television, said Chetsenga did not talk about the desperate situation faced by ZESA workers who have been demanding better salaries and working conditions. About 100 of the workers have remained on strike despite orders from government to return to work or risk being fired. Muchemwa said it is these workers who are alleged to be destroying ZESA’s infrastructure by stealing oil, spare parts and cables.
Chetsenga said power outages will be even worse this year compared to 2006 if nothing is done. Most areas are currently experiencing an average of 4 hours a day without electricity. Without the total 40% power imported from South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the country may as well brace for darkness. These countries are already struggling to generate enough electricity to service their domestic needs.
Muchemwa said the region is experiencing a power crisis due to increased demand caused by growing populations. In South Africa two power stations broke down in Cape Town and Johannesburg and left most of the country without power for 3 days. Muchemwa said this affected exports to Zimbabwe.