Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has been urged to consider switching to solar-powered tower lights as a cost-cutting measure in light of the impending transition to prepaid meters by the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA).
The issue arose during a recent Full Council Meeting where councillors debated ZESA’s plan to migrate all power users to prepaid meters by June 2024.
Ward 17 Councilor Sikhululekile Moyo said the switch to prepaid meters will strain the council’s budget.
“ZESA’s switch to prepaid meters for tower lights will cause a further financial burden,” she said. “With the approaching winter season and earlier sunsets, this could leave residents vulnerable to crime due to limited lighting.”
Ward 10 Councillor Khalazani Ndlovu said the council needs to attend to the non-functioning tower lights in residential areas urgently.
“We acknowledge the council’s efforts in mapping these inoperative lights,” he said. “However, residents are more interested in solutions. In my ward, there are 18 malfunctioning lights, with similar situations in Nketa, Emakhandeni, Pumula, and Gwabalanda. This exposes residents to security risks. Can we explore solar power as a viable alternative? Residents need an urgent solution.”
According to council minutes, discussions about switching to solar-powered tower lights have been ongoing.
However, the initial investment cost has been a hurdle as the local authority must settle outstanding electricity debts with ZESA before lights can be reactivated.
“Councilor Aleck Ndlovu raised concerns regarding dysfunctional tower lights and their lack of maintenance,” the minutes state. “He proposed solar-powered tower lights as the most viable option.”
“ZESA informed the council that it had to settle its electrical debt before switching on the lights,” the minutes continue. “Procurement processes were underway to settle the amount owed. Chamber Secretary Sikhangele Zhou explained that the initial capital outlay for solar power presented a financial hurdle for the council, but the initiative remains under consideration.”
