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Court Reporter

ZIMBABWE Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) revenue assurance manager, Engineer Willard Shereni, has told the court that the smart meters supplied by businessman Farai Jere’s company, Helcraw Electricals, complied with their expectations when they were delivered.

He said some of them are presently being used by the power utility in billing customers.

Eng Shereni told the court that ZETDC was yet to flight a tender for the supply of SIM cards that are required for ZETDC to fully enjoy the functionality of the smart meters.

He said this while testifying in a matter in which Jere and his company are jointly charged with two ZETDC engineers, Leonard Chisina and Freeman Chikonzo, on allegations of defrauding the power utility of US$3,5 million in the smart meter supply deal.

Jere, his company, Chisina and Chikonzo are also alleged to have presented a fake Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) report that resulted in the businessman being awarded the smart meter supply tender.

They denied the charges.

Said Eng Shereni: “We have some of the meters that are working. The meters were compliant when they were supplied although I was not there. What I know is that some of the meters are being used for billing. They are installed in our system.

“The company is not fully enjoying their functionality because there are SIM cards that are needed, but we are slowly moving towards that.

“The company is billing using the meters although they are not fully functional. We have just a few SIM cards that are required and as a company we are moving there.” 

Eng Munyaradzi Chuma, another State witness, told the court that he travelled to the UK as part of the team that carried out the FAT.

He said what was recorded in the FAT report was a reflection of what transpired during their visit. The matter is expected to continue on September 17.

Harare regional magistrate Mrs Marehwanazvo Gofa presided, while Mrs Tendai Shonhai and Mr Tafara Chirambira appeared for the State.