State-owned power utility ZESA Holdings has been ordered to pay a total of US$66,000 in compensation to two minors from Mangwe Rural District who suffered severe electrical burns after coming into contact with low-hanging live power cables.
The rulings by the Bulawayo High Court follow legal action brought by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), which accused the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a ZESA subsidiary, of gross negligence.
The incidents occurred on 18 May 2022, when the boys, then aged 11 and 14, were electrocuted by the poorly maintained cables.
In the first case, involving the 11-year-old, the boy’s parents sought ZLHR’s assistance on the advice of community members.
ZLHR lawyer Prisca Dube filed summons at the Bulawayo High Court on 14 August 2024, seeking damages and arguing that ZETDC’s negligence had caused the electrocution.
ZETDC denied liability and described the claimed amount as excessive. However, on 15 January 2026, Justice Dube ruled that ZETDC must pay US$50 000 in damages to the minor, with payment due within two months.
In the second case, the 14-year-old was initially treated at St Anne’s Hospital in Brunapeg before being transferred to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH), where he underwent surgery on his right arm. He was later assessed as having a 32% permanent disability.
ZLHR filed summons on 8 August 2024, demanding US$52 000 in damages. ZETDC again denied liability and called the claim exorbitant, but on 14 January 2026, it offered US$16 000, described as the maximum covered by its insurance policy.
The boy’s parents accepted the offer, and on 22 January 2026 Justice Evangelista Kabasa ordered ZETDC to make the payment within 60 days.
ZLHR said it represented the minors as part of its efforts to combat impunity, promote accountability at state institutions, and deter human rights violations by public entities.