By Ndumiso Tshuma
Residents of Lochview in Sunninghill, Bulawayo, have been without electricity for a week, causing immense stress and economic hardship.
The power outage, which began early on Sunday morning, has been attributed to the theft of crucial infrastructure, including the transmitter and copper wire.
Dr. George Manyanya, ZESA Holdingsโ General Manager โ Stakeholder Relations, Communication, and Welfare , advised residents to report their complaints directly to ZESA and request a reference number.
โWith this reference number, residents can track which team has been assigned to resolve the issues in their area, and we can work together to fix the problems. Residents must first report the matter, and we will assign a team to address the issue,โ said Dr Manyanya.
However, many residents are frustrated with the lack of action from ZESA.
Pamela Gatsheni, a mother of three and long-time Lochview resident, shared her distress over the situation.
โItโs been a nightmare. I canโt cook, my children canโt study, and we rely on electricity for so many basic needs. We feel forgotten and helpless. Weโve called ZESA multiple times, but all we get are empty promises and no clear answers,โ Gatsheni said.
Another resident, Sarah Dube, a local grocery store owner, is particularly concerned about the financial impact of the power outage on her business. She explained that most of her goods, bought in town for resale, have gone bad.
โI have perishable goods going to waste because I canโt keep my freezers running. This isnโt just an inconvenience; itโs a threat to my livelihood. If ZESA doesnโt resolve this soon, Iโll have no choice but to close my shop. We need answers, not excuses,โ Dube said.
Simon Muchacha, another Lochview resident, called for immediate intervention from local authorities.
โThis is unacceptable. Our community is suffering, and we expect ZESA to provide the service we pay for. We deserve better than this neglect. I urge all residents to come together and demand better services,โ Muchacha said.
