Speaking to journalists last week, Combined Harare Residents Association and its partners who include Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights and the Centre for Community Development Trust, said that there was no justification in the hike.
“The tariffs that come into effect on the 1st of September 2011 are a serious cause for concern to most residents and ratepayers as they are not justified and can trigger possible dissent,” said Mfundo Mlilo of CHRA.
However, ZESA stood by its 31 per cent hike saying it was designed to ensure sustainability on the part of ZESA to ensure that service delivery was improved.
“Bold decisions have to be made, the population has grown and the reason why there is investment in South Africa is that the tariffs are at 12 cents and here there are 7 cents, here the tariffs are sub-economic and investors do not come,” said ZESA Public Relations Manager, Fullard Gwasira.
“This tariff is very economical’ it penalizes those who do not conserve power. We have removed monthly fixed charges.”
Residents, maintain that ZESA erred when it made the tariff adjustments without first asking the ratepayers.
In order to stop ZESA from penalizing defaulters, schemers of the boycott said thay would also approach the country’s courts.
“If these demands are not met, CHRA and its partners will call for a massive rates boycott from both residents and ratepayers in the corporate world, and mobilize communities for peaceful protests in Harare and other cities until these demands are met,” said Mlilo.
If ZESA cuts off electricity, CHRA said that it had at its disposal lawyers from ZLHR who would represent the disconnected.
Post published in: Business