Daniel Nemukuyu

CASPER TSVANGIRAI, brother to Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, has been taken to the High Court for failing to pay electricity bills amounting to US$16 000.

Tsvangirai, who operates a mining business in Kwekwe, allegedly used electricity at Gothi 4 Mine from January 31 2009 to February 15 this year without paying.
Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company — a subsidiary of Zesa Holdings — has filed summons at the High Court claiming US$16 546,72 from Tsvangirai.

The electricity was consumed through Zesa account number 900017178-003 for Gothic 4 Mine of Kwekwe during the period in question.
ZETDC on several occasions unsuccessfully sought payment from Tsvangirai, resulting in the institution of the legal proceedings at the High Court.
On May 23 this year, ZETDC wrote to Tsvangirai demanding payment of the outstanding money but he has refused or neglected to honour the debt.

The summons were prepared by ZETDC lawyers Masawi and Partners and filed at the High Court on June 19 this year.

“Despite demand, the defendant has thus failed, neglected or refused to pay the capital sum together with collection commission and or costs,” read part of the summons.

ZETDC is claiming US$16 546,72 together with interest at the prescribed rate.
The power company is also seeking an order for costs of the suit. Tsvangirai was still to respond to the summons.

The lawsuit was filed at the time the power utility was crying foul over unpaid bills to the tune of US$600 million.
Out of the outstanding US$600 million, Zesa claims farmers countrywide owe the utility US$60 million.

Various individuals and companies countrywide had their electricity disconnected over huge bills and several cases have since spilled into the courts.
Early this year, Econet Wireless issued summons against Tsvangirai at the same court over a mobile phone bill of US$1 272 incurred in 2010.