Bulawayo residents have expressed outrage over the decision by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), a ZESA Holdings subsidiary to switch off tower lights in the city.
ZETDC switched off the tower lights as part of the process of migrating its customers from postpaid metering to a prepaid model.
The power utility disconnected the tower lights three weeks ago, leaving some areas in darkness with residents raising security concerns over the development.
Speaking to <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/zesa-disconnects-bulawayo-tower-lights/">Chronicle</a>, Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) president, Winos Dube, said he has lived in Bulawayo for more than 50 years but it was the first time he experienced the disconnection of tower lights. He said:
<blockquote>
I don’t recall such a thing ever happening. I have lived in this city for more than 50 years but I have never seen such a thing happening.
We are disappointed and shocked to learn that ZESA has disconnected tower lights and street lights.
They play a major role in the city as they are part of security measures. We are already experiencing muggings, burglaries, and break-ins so without the tower lights our lives are being put at risk.
Why would ZESA just disconnect without engaging us the stakeholders?
We learned of this when one of the residents questioned a councillor on why the council was not fixing faulty tower lights, which were not functional for some time.
So, the councillor responded by saying the tower lights were not faulty but had been disconnected by the power utility.
This is strange and disappointing behaviour and we will be making follow-ups with the responsible authorities.
</blockquote>
A security expert Wilson Sibanda who runs, Saf-Custodia Security Services, said the switching off of tower lights was a cause for concern. He said:
<blockquote>
I don’t recall such a thing ever happening. I have lived in this city for more than 50 years but I have never seen such a thing happening. We are disappointed and shocked to learn that ZESA has disconnected tower lights and street lights.
They play a major role in the city as they are part of security measures. We are already experiencing muggings, burglaries, and break-ins so without the tower lights our lives are being put at risk. Why would ZESA just disconnect without engaging us the stakeholders?
We learned of this when one of the residents questioned a councillor on why the council was not fixing faulty tower lights, which were not functional for some time.
So, the councillor responded by saying the tower lights were not faulty but had been disconnected by the power utility.
This is strange and disappointing behaviour and we will be making follow-ups with the responsible authorities.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Outrage In Bulawayo As ZESA Switches Off Tower Lights

Bulawayo residents have criticised the council for provisionally allocating a US$300,000 budget to host the Bulawayo Arts Festival next month.
The Bulawayo United Residents Association (BURA) says the funds should be channelled towards addressing the city’s perennial water shortages where residents often endure weeks without running water.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/residents-decry-us300k-bulawayo-arts-festival-budget/">Chronicle,</a> Winos Dube, the BURA chairperson, said residents were not opposed to the hosting of arts festivals in the city, but the local authority should prioritise service delivery. Said Dube:
<blockquote>
While we support hosting arts festivals in the city, we are facing the most severe water crisis in years.
Therefore, we strongly believe that every available cent should be allocated towards ensuring water provision in the most affected suburbs.
Some suburbs go for weeks without running water and that funding could be better utilised to supply residents with water through bowsers.
The question we, as residents, are asking ourselves is: Are our leaders willing to prioritise a festival over essential service delivery?
Water provision is key; water is life. Thus, we expect our leaders to address the water issue without delay.
</blockquote>
According to council minutes obtained by the Chronicle, a proposal has been made to allocate a budget of US$300 000 for the festival scheduled to from June 2 to 5. The minutes read in part:
<blockquote>
It shall be recalled that council at its sitting on 2nd October 2019 resolved to declare the 1st of June as Bulawayo Day and the 2nd to the 5th of June as Bulawayo Arts Festival week.
This was the result of the lobbying from stakeholders in the creative industry. Since then, the Bulawayo Arts Festival has been commemorated annually during the first week of June.
The festival’s objectives are to showcase the city’s rich cultural heritage and diversity as well as marketing it as a tourist destination.
The festival is commemorated through several activities that include musical shows, dance, and exhibitions, among others.
The City of Bulawayo and other key stakeholders in the arts, culture and heritage sectors prepare and line up festivities to commemorate the event.
Annually, council budgets for the festival. This year a total of three hundred thousand dollars (US$300 000.00) has been provisionally budgeted for the festival in the hold of vote.
The Arts and Culture office will come up with a programme of events for the festival.
</blockquote>
The Bulawayo Arts Festival, an annual celebration, follows the Bulawayo Day commemorations, which are held on June 1 every year.
Bulawayo Day commemorations mark the establishment of the City of Bulawayo as a town, on June 1, 1894.
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