Zimpapers Logo

The consumer watchdog said the promulgation of Statutory Instrument (SI 44) of 2013 by Minister Mangoma would “fatally undermine” consumer rights to choice, information and education.

“The CCZ as a major stakeholder and principal representative of consumers would like to categorically state that it was not consulted prior to the enactment of the Statutory Instrument and whatever is contained in the SI has no approval of consumers and is thus abrasively against the interests of consumers,” CCZ said in a statement.

When the concept of prepaid metering was introduced, the CCZ and other stakeholders were told that the exercise would be done at the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company’s expense.

“The CCZ is shocked that the SI mentions smart meters, a whole new concept consumers have not been warned nor educated about, and which consumers have to pay for their own coffers,” the consumer watchdog said.

“Smart-metering comes at a cost considering the technology that is required to get it operational. It is therefore grossly unfair for ZETDC to conveniently dump the efficacy of funding this exercise on already burdened consumers – many of whom are struggling to pay mounting electricity bills.”

CCZ protested that there was lack of education, information and transparency on the issue and this had created confusion among consumers over how their debts would be settled using the new prepaid meters.

“When the prepaid meters were introduced to some consumers, they brought unprecedented relief, convenience and efficiency to the consumers but now this has become a source of distress as ZETDC continues to use estimated billing system where they are prepaid meters,” the consumer watchdog said..

She said the 20 percent electricity debts deductible from current paid bills had not been articulated to consumers.
“The issue of 20 percent of electricity debts deductible from current paid bills has never been fully articulated to consumers,” CCZ said.

“We have taken this matter up with the energy regulator as well as Zesa and would like these issues attended to and rectified speedily in the interest of justice to consumers who are already weighed down by many other economic challenges.”

Last month, Minister Mangoma announced plans to allow Zesa to sell prepaid meters for US$300 to consumers to speed up the implementation of the programme.