Minister of Energy and Power Development Joram Gumbo has revealed that Former Minister of Defence Sydney Sekeramayi has made a payment plan to settle an unpaid electricity bill of $327 481 owed to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa). In September, the former minister was sued by the power utility. Gumbo also revealed that Zesa was going to go after all senior politicians from the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition who have unpaid bills. In an interview with the Daily News, Gumbo said,
I have asked the permanent secretary to give me a list of debtors and that includes government ministries, senior people in government, companies, farmers, schools, mines etc. I want them listed and we will write to them asking them to come up with payment plans and clear their debts. As far as I am concerned, there is no one who is exempted from paying for the energy they use at their institution or their homes, farms, schools or even government hospitals. Everyone should pay and that includes me. At one time I had a debt with Zesa…I am happy to say that I cleared my debt at my farm and I pay monthly.
…All individuals, all senior politicians, be they Zanu PF and MDC have to pay. Sydney Sekeramayi is one of the most senior politicians in the country but he came to me and said he was surprised to see his name in the press saying he owes Zesa yet he has a plan with the power utility. That is what we must do. I encourage everyone to do likewise. Sekeramayi is a good example of senior people who know the importance of paying Zesa bills. He went to Zesa with a payment plan and Zesa readily accepted.
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