Zimbabwe’s debilitating power cuts, which last for several hours a day or even days on end, are expected to continue into 2025.
The country’s power utility, ZESA Holdings, is struggling to generate enough electricity to meet demand due to low water levels at Kariba Dam and frequent breakdowns at the ageing Hwange Thermal Power Station.
The Kariba hydropower plant, with a total capacity of 1,050 megawatts (MW), has seen its generation drop to less than 200 MW.
During a press briefing, ZESA Holdings executive chairman, Sydney Gata, said that the power utility does not have the foreign currency required to import electricity from neighbouring countries. Said Gata (via <a href="https://www.thestandard.co.zw/news/article/200036350/load-shedding-here-to-stay-says-zesa">The Standard</a>):
<blockquote>
More than 50% of our dependable capacity has been wiped out. This is the main reason behind load shedding.
The other factor is that power inputs to supplement the deficit are expensive and they demand foreign currency.
We do not have enough foreign currency to make up for the deficit.
</blockquote>
Gata reiterated his previous claims that 18 new power stations, collectively adding 4,600 MW of capacity, were under construction and set to commence operations by 2025.
However, Zimbabwean authorities have a history of making promises that are not fulfilled. In fact, Zimbabwe’s power crisis has been worsening over the years, rather than improving.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Zimbabwe is having a lot of power cuts that are expected to continue until 2025. This is because there isn't enough electricity being generated. The problem is due to low water levels at the Kariba Dam and old equipment at the Hwange Thermal Power Station. The power company doesn't have enough money to buy electricity from other countries. They say they're building new power stations, but past promises have not been kept. This means that the power cuts in Zimbabwe might get even worse in the future.

No End In Sight For Zimbabwe's Electricity Crisis

ZESA Holdings Executive Chairman Sydney Gata said that the decision to adopt electricity tariffs reflecting costs has led to increased investments in the energy sector, which could help address the power crisis Zimbabwe is currently experiencing.
While speaking to delegates at the inaugural Zimbabwe-Zambia (Zim-Zam) Energy Projects Summit on Tuesday in Victoria Falls, Gata said that since the change in December, there has been increased investment in the sector. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
Immediately after the tariffs were corrected, we called in industry, mining in particular and told them that now they can also invest in electricity infrastructure.
</blockquote>
Gata said miners were advised to stop relying on the government to underwrite the energy risks associated with their operations, and their response has been positive. He added:
<blockquote>
As we are talking right now our sector demands approximately 700 megawatts and from the projections from the survey that we did we anticipate that in the next three to five years we will be requiring about 2,000 megawatts, which is above what the country is currently generating.
</blockquote>
Several projects are set to come online next year to address Zimbabwe’s energy shortages, including the refurbishment of coal-fired plants by Jindal Steel and Power, and the development of solar power facilities by Tsingshan Holding Group Co’s Afrochine Smelting and PPC.
These initiatives aim to alleviate the persistent power outages exacerbated by a severe drought, which has drastically reduced hydroelectric generation at the Kariba Dam, the country’s primary energy source.
Currently, the Kariba power station is operating at just 10% of its installed capacity of 1,050 megawatts. As of November 19, total power generation in the country stood at 1,273.5 megawatts, which is just over half of the total demand.
The power shortfall is also being fueled by high demand from the mining sector. Isaac Kwesu, Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines, said that the mining industry is experiencing an average annual growth of 9%, driven by key sectors like lithium, coal, iron, and steel.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Electricity prices went up in Zimbabwe, which led to more money being invested in the energy sector to help with the power crisis. Companies were told to invest in their own power sources instead of relying on the government. The country needs more electricity than it currently makes, so new projects are being planned like fixing coal-fired plants and creating solar power facilities. The lack of rain has also made it harder to generate hydroelectric power. The mining industry uses a lot of electricity and is growing fast.

Electricity Tariff Hike Sparked Growth In Energy Investments, Says ZESA Boss

The Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project, meant to solve perennial electricity shortages in Zimbabwe and Zambia, may not proceed due to significant hurdles, an official has revealed.
The multi-billion-dollar power plant, planned since 1972, is expected to generate 2,400 MW to alleviate power shortages.
Despite renewed efforts in the past decade, ZESA Holdings executive chairperson Sydney Gata said that the project is fraught with risks.
Gata, who was speaking during the ongoing Zimbabwe-Zambia Energy Projects Summit in Victoria Falls, said (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200035198/no-end-in-sight-to-zims-power-woesas-mega-project-may-never-take-off">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
The other thing that I would like to mention, especially in respect of Batoka, is that we always need to do more exhaustive feasibility studies.
The project has not seen the light of day since 42 years ago. One of the reasons is that there has not been an exhaustive review of markets and also hydrology.
The project that we have today, in our experience, will not work. There is also a question of enforcement risk.
Enforcement risk is my translation of the experience we had in the reconstitution of CAPCO (Central African Power Corporation) and the formation of ZRA (Zambezi River Authority). That process was not clean.
</blockquote>
Due to low water levels at Kariba Dam, power generation at both Kariba North and Kariba South Power Stations has been severely impacted, resulting in up to 20 hours of load shedding per day in both Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The Kariba South Power Station, operated by ZESA, has a generation capacity of 1,050 MW but is currently producing only 124 MW. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
… decisions were being made at a political level without regard to the position of technocrats”.
I said that not all the political leadership is aware of this. We tried very hard to advocate for further extensive studies.
Certain hydrological models and models of investment can overcome this ugly picture. Batoka, as it stands now, is a victim of load factor risk.
It is also a victim of load profile risk, but you can mitigate both. If you do further feasibility studies, there are other options. In fact, some of them we knew about in 1984.
I am surprised that they have not been taken into account. Batoka also needs a market study that is honest and relevant.
</blockquote>
In 2021, the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) announced that the consortium chosen to build the project was having difficulty securing funding.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project is a big power plant that is supposed to give electricity to Zimbabwe and Zambia. But, it might not happen because of many problems. The project has been planned since 1972 but hasn't started yet. The water levels at Kariba Dam are low, causing electricity shortages in both countries. The people in charge say that more studies are needed to make sure the project will work. The project needs money to start, but it is hard to find. This means that the project may never happen, and people will continue to have electricity problems.

2,400 MW Batoka Gorge Hydroelectric Project May Never Take Off

ZESA executive chairman Sydney Gata has attributed the current power shortages in the country to illegal sanctions imposed on the country by Western powers, which have prevented the power utility and other entities from accessing concessionary loans for infrastructure development.
As a result, Zimbabweans are enduring daily blackouts lasting at least 15 hours in their homes and businesses.
To prevent the collapse of the national grid, ZESA has implemented stringent power rationing measures. 
In an exclusive interview with The Herald in Harare on Thursday, Gata explained that the power crisis has been further exacerbated by drought, which has severely reduced the water available for power generation at the Kariba Dam. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
We have been unfortunate with Kariba hydrology or Zambezi hydrology to be more accurate. We have lost the capacity of Kariba… drastic losses.
For instance, the power station is rated at 1050MW today but we are hardly producing 150MW.
What hurts the most is that Kariba is normally our baseload plant because it is cheap to deploy and also highly reliable.
Hydropower plants have less equipment on them and are more stable to operate than confined power plants throughout the world.
So, we lost our cheapest source of energy and our most reliable source of energy and that explains today’s load shedding.
</blockquote>
On October 22, the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), ZESA’s power generating unit, reported that the country was producing a total of 1,012 MW of electricity.
This included 784 MW from Hwange, 184 MW from Kariba, and 43 MW from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe is facing power shortages because of sanctions. The sanctions stop Zimbabwe from getting loans for improving power. The country is having daily blackouts for at least 15 hours. ZESA is rationing power to avoid a national grid collapse. Drought is also making the power crisis worse. The Kariba Dam, which usually generates a lot of power, is producing much less now. Zimbabwe only has 1,012 MW of electricity being produced, which is much less than it needs. The situation is really bad because of the lack of power and water.

ZESA Blames Load Shedding On Western Sanctions

Consumers owe ZESA Holdings more than ZiG5.7 billion when it is experiencing limited electricity generation due to low water levels at Kariba Dam, which supplies water to the 1 050 MW Kariba Hydropower plant, and ageing equipment at Hwange Thermal Power Station.
In a press release, ZESA Executive Chairman, Sydney Gata, revealed that the power utility has reduced imports from neighbouring countries due to its inability to service the arrears. He said:
<blockquote>
Furthermore, to try and mitigate the demand and supply gap, we have to resort to imports from other regional utilities and ZETDC is actively involved in the Sapp Day Ahead Market to access any excess power from the region.
The imports have, however, been reduced as we do not have full capacity to service the arrears.
</blockquote>
Gata also said ZESA is owed a staggering ZIG5.7 billion by various customers, including domestic households, industries, commercial entities and government departments.
Gata said as of August 12, 2024, the mining industry owed the power company ZIG684.8 million, or 12% of the total debt, while industrial users owed ZESA 50% of the debt, or ZiG2.8 billion.
The amount owed by domestic consumers is ZiG84.6 million (1%) while the amount owed by commercial debtors is ZiG656.99 million (12%).
This substantial debt has placed considerable strain on ZESA’s financial position, restricting its capacity to invest in infrastructure and cover operational costs.
In light of ongoing supply shortages, ZESA has been compelled to export electricity during non-peak hours to generate foreign currency.
These funds are essential for meeting critical obligations, including loan repayments, water bills, coal purchases, and infrastructure maintenance.
Gata urged customers to pay their electricity bills promptly, noting that ZESA has begun disconnecting those with outstanding arrears. He said:
<blockquote>
We have embarked on a disconnection blitz to ensure that those who pay for electricity get the service due to them.
This will also see an enhanced installation of prepaid meters across the customer segments.
</blockquote>
Gata said that following government approval of a cost-reflective tariff in December, cash flows have significantly improved, though they remain insufficient due to exchange rate losses.
The cash flow situation reveals a negative variance between cash received and cash obligations, indicating that the foreign currency generated is primarily used to meet critical commitments.
These include monthly loan obligations for the Hwange 7 and 8 expansion, averaging US$36 million and payable exclusively in US dollars, as well as Afreximbank loan obligations.
Other essential expenses encompass payments for water, coal, fuel, and critical spare parts for generation, transmission, and distribution. Additionally, funds are required for legacy loan instalments, operational vehicle replacements, national grid rehabilitation, and the refurbishment of distribution infrastructure.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA, the company that provides electricity, is facing problems because they don't have enough money. People owe them a lot of money, which is making it hard for them to import power. The company is owed ZiG5.7 billion by customers, including industries, businesses, and even the government. This debt is stopping ZESA from investing in new equipment and covering their costs. ZESA is now cutting off those who don't pay their bills, and they are trying to export electricity to make money. The situation is tough, even though the government approved higher prices for electricity in December.

ZESA Has No Money For Power Imports, Utility Owed ZiG5.7 Billion

ZESA Holdings says the load-shedding experienced across the country is set to ease, as a technical fault that had affected Hwange Power Station Unit 8 since last week has now been resolved, reported <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zesa-puts-measures-to-ease-power-shortages/">The Herald</a>.
Addressing the media in Harare on Monday, August 26, ZESA Executive Chairman Sydney Gata said that the unit is now awaiting synchronisation.
Gata also said the power utility plans to install a utility-scale battery energy storage system, which will provide 600 megawatts of power during morning and evening peak periods for up to three hours. He said:
<blockquote>
We experienced a fault at the Hwange Power Station Unit 8 last week and we had to switch it off.
These are normal technical hitches that happen during the infancy of any new plants and I’m glad to notify you that our engineers have resolved this and we expect to synchronise the unit to be back online soon…
ZESA will install a utility-scale battery energy storage system of 1800 MWh (1.8GWh) which will provide 3 hours of 600 MW during morning and evening peaks.
This will substantially reduce load shedding, besides providing some benefits to system operations.
This project is at the procurement stage. The energy to charge the batteries will be supplied or procured off-peak.
</blockquote>
Gata also announced that Hwange Power Station Units 1 to 6 will undergo a repowering project to boost the current output from 485MW to 840MW.
He further revealed that there are plans in the pipeline to construct an additional four new units with a total capacity of 1,200MW at the Hwange Thermal Power Station. He said:
<blockquote>
Jindal of India will invest in an additional 4 new units at Hwange introducing 1 200 MW of new capacity. Feasibility studies for these have commenced.
This will see an improvement of consistent output from the current average of 485 MW to 840 MW. The programme will be executed unit by unit in the next 36-48 months, with work having commenced on Unit 5, using internal resources.
Hwange Power Station’s ongoing Repowering Programme is a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the station’s reliability and output.
With this investment (US$800 million), the project is set to upgrade Units 1 to 6, ensuring increased capacity, and reliability, and extending the operational life of the units by 15 to 20 years.
Currently, the station is maintaining a commendable output of 485MW, even as Unit 5 is being upgraded.
The completion of Unit 5 repowering effort is strategically scheduled for April 2025, which will bolster the station’s capacity in preparation for the high demand during the winter peak season.
</blockquote>
Gata said ZESA has entered agreements with ferrochrome companies to supply their own power. He said:
<blockquote>
Construction work has already started at one site targeting to produce 300 MW of thermal power in Hwange, with the first 100 MW coming on stream by mid-2025.
Construction work will commence this Q3 on a 720 MW thermal power station by one of the ferrochrome companies for self-supply and supply to other ferrochrome companies.
Ferrochrome companies will be investing in renewable energy, solar and wind, commencing this year.
In total, smelting companies have reached an advanced stage for the construction of a total of 300 MW of solar and 100 MW of wind power.
</blockquote>
According to the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC), on Monday, August 26th, the power generation figures were as follows: Hwange Power Station was generating 780 MW, Kariba Power Station was generating 215 MW, and Independent Power Producers (IPPs) were producing 47 MW. This amounted to a total national power generation of 1,042 MW on that day.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA, a power company, says they fixed a problem at a power station and power shortages will get better. They will use batteries to help with power during busy times. They will also upgrade other power stations to make more power. Some companies will make their own power too. ZESA said they are working on different projects to make more power for the country. On August 26, they said the power stations were generating a total of 1,042 MW. This will help reduce power shortages in the country.

ZESA Executive Chairman Announces Measures To Ease Power Shortages

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings says the current gap between electricity demand and supply will continue in the medium term.
Zimbabwe requires 1 850 megawatts per day and on Friday the country was generating 1 285 megawatts, with 41 megawatts coming from independent power producers (IPPs), while Kariba and Hwange were producing 570 megawatts and 674 megawatts respectively.
ZESA Executive Chairperson, Sydney Gata told <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/?p=17473">ZBC News</a> that the ongoing load shedding is attributable to subdued generation capacity at Kariba South Hydro Power Station.
Gata revealed that Kariba South hydropower station currently generates 300 megawatts against an installed capacity of 1050 megawatts.
This comes after the Zambezi River Authority (ZRA) restricted water allocations for power generation due to low water levels in the Kariba Dam. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
Generally, power supply in the short to medium term will continue to be a challenge. The predominant factor here is the hydrology of the Zambezi River which seems to be affected by climate change.
We have 1 050 megawatts of installed capacity at Kariba South. We have been directed to only use 300 megawatts of capacity which means we have lost 750 megawatts which is 50 percent of the dependable capacity of Zimbabwe’s power.
</blockquote>
He said ZESA has come up with a contingency plan that will address the power situation in the medium to long term. Gata said:
<blockquote>
We now have contingency plans made possible, we have already received power station proposals from IPPS who want to finance their own power stations, and coal power base load plants.
They will aggregate that to 1600 megawatts. This is because we now have a cost-reflective tariff. We are also sitting on over 100 licences for small renewable energy IPP projects.
</blockquote>
The construction of two new units at Hwange Power Station (7 and 8) to generate a combined 600 megawatts has not resulted in reduced load shedding.
Unit 7 tripped two weeks before it was due for Class C maintenance resulting in longer power cuts. Unit 8 is set to be taken off the grid soon as it is also due for Class C maintenance.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Boss Says Load Shedding To Continue In The Medium Term

Power utility ZESA Holdings is utilising a huge chunk of its resources to import power from neighbouring countries, with the import bill ballooning to US$250 million a year.
Local businesses and residents of affluent suburbs have been forced to use backup diesel generators due to power blackouts.
ZESA Holdings’ power generation unit, the Zimbabwe Power Company, generates about 1 500 megawatts per day, against a national demand of at least 1 800MW.
In order to cover the shortfall ZESA imports from South Africa’s power utility Eskom, Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique, and from Zambia.
Speaking during the signing of an MoU between ZESA Enterprises and Chinese firm Dinson Iron and Steel Company, ZESA executive chairman Sydney Gata said the power utility was spending too much on power imports. Gata said, as quoted by <a href="https://businesstimes.co.zw/zesa-fret-over-hefty-import-bill/">Business Times</a>:
<blockquote>
We are spending too much. In one year we spent a quarter of a billion dollars but I am pleased to say that our government is aware of the challenges and we are working on initiatives that will bring an end to our challenges.
</blockquote>
Turning to the deal with Dinson Iron and Steel Company, which is constructing a US$1.5 billion steel manufacturing plant in Manhize near Mvuma, Gata said the power utility will be able to acquire steel products locally. He said:
<blockquote>
In terms of the agreement, we will provide steel products for use in infrastructure with the most notable being transmission towers and steel used for power transmission infrastructure.
We have been importing this from China, Japan, India and sometimes also from South Africa. We will make them here in Zimbabwe and we are grateful for this game-changer.
Steel is a major part of the transformation of any economy for the good of the nation as a whole.
</blockquote>
ZESA Enterprises Managing Director Godfrey Mugaviri signed on behalf of the power utility.
Dinson Iron and Steel company chairman Benson Xu said:
<blockquote>
To me the most important things are steel and power, that is electricity. Without electricity and steel, there is no vision to talk about.
Vision 2030 mainly talks about industrialisation and it is all about power and steel at the end of the day.
I am happy our company is part of the journey to achieve that. I am happy we are strengthening relations between ZESA Enterprises to achieve the targets of that vision together.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA "Spending Too Much" On Power Imports, Says Gata

ZESA Holdings executive chairman, Sydney Gata said that the synchronisation of the Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 with the national grid almost failed to happen.
The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) managed to synchronise the first of two generators into the national grid on Monday, 20 March after failing to do so several times.
The two generators make up the Hwange Thermal Power Station Unit 7 and 8 Expansion Project being installed under a US$1.4 billion facility from China Eximbank.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200009324/hwange-7-why-zesa-boss-panicked">The Standard</a> on the sidelines of the 4th International Renewable Energy Conference in Victoria Falls organised by The Standard in collaboration with the Energy and Power Development ministry, Gata said:
<blockquote>
The commissioning of the power plant is a very protracted process and it can be up to six months.
During that time, you start by testing individual components, processes and systems before they are connected to the grid.
You cannot offload the tests, and two of them are very critical.
There is the boiler hydraulic test and then there is the turbo test.
Out of the 20-plus tests, those two tell you whether you have a power station or not.
In our case, and both for Unit 7 and Unit 8, both were extremely successful, well above average responses.
This power plant, even if we may later fail to run it, was designed very well, and was built very well.
Commissioning is after finishing the offload tests or technical tests.
Synchronisation is when you are connecting a proven asset to the grid.
They (the generator and the grid) must communicate in a very complex language called quotation codes.
Now, the design of the communication system is also a science in its own right.
</blockquote>
Gata revealed that the synchronisation process was supposed to take place on 13 December last year but this did not happen. He said:
<blockquote>
We were supposed to synchronise on the 13th of December last year, but the quotation codes used by the Chinese were not compatible with the ones we use in Southern Africa.
We asked them to design codes that were compatible with our codes.
They failed, so we went to the supplier, ABB China, and they also failed.
</blockquote>
He said he was in a state of panic during the Christman period, and a former ZESA employee who is now a consultant for Eskom saved the day. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
We were in a crisis. Ndakaita dzungu. I spent Christmas in a state of panic. We were trying to figure out what to do next.
So, we went to South Africa and put out a tender for the services. There were a few companies in South Africa that responded.
One thing that should make Zimbabweans proud is that one of the companies that responded to the tender) is run by a Zimbabwean named David Mvura, a former ZESA employee and a consultant at Eskom.
He is the one who solved the puzzle.
He (Mvura) was here celebrating with us when we successfully synchronised.
We also celebrated his patriotism.
He gave us a quote for two weeks and did it in under that time. Everyone else I mean the South African companies, wanted four weeks or more.
We are very proud and really celebrate him because the embarrassment we were facing was massive because the power station was finished, the grid is waiting and we are load shedding like it’s a fashion.
Thankfully we are over that.
</blockquote>
Gata also said that because the sycnhronisation of Unit 7 was delayed, the progress on Unit 8 was catching up and the sycnhronisation of the latter should happen in about a month’s time.
More: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Synchronisation Of Hwange Unit 7 Almost Failed To Happen - ZESA Boss

ZESA Holdings says load shedding will ease considerably in the coming weeks with Zimbabwe soon to get up to 500MW of electricity from Zambia and Mozambique, while Hwange Power Station’s Unit 7 should be feeding 300MW into the national grid before month end.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/major-boost-to-electricity-situation-as-500mw-lined-up-from-zambia-mozambique/">The Herald</a>, ZESA Holdings executive chairman Sydney Gata said that the power utility expects to import 250MW from Zambia and another 250MW from Mozambique. Said Gata:
<blockquote>
As for the current load shedding, there is a relief that is coming. We ran around and apart from getting a bit more from Kariba, we will be getting a bit more from Zambia and Mozambique.
From Zambia, we are getting 100MW and they are looking for another 50MW for us there is also a member of the Intensive Energy Users Group who is also looking for another 100MW. So we may get as much as 250MW from Zambia.
Mozambique, I was there recently and we agreed that they will run around and increase from the 60MW they have been giving us, to 100MW immediately, and there is another 150MW which could be coming from Monday next week. So Mozambique should give us 250MW maximum.
</blockquote>
Gata said if all goes according to plan, Hwange’s Unit 7 is expected to start feeding electricity into the grid before month’s end. He said:
<blockquote>
The unit itself, in terms of operating, is actually ready to generate. However, there was a delay in the equipment required to connect it to the grid.
So far we expect that it could be around the 20th of this month. It could be later, it could be earlier, but thereabout and surely by Christmas, Unit 7 should be in service, barring unforeseen situations.
</blockquote>
Unit 7 has the capacity to generate 300MW, while Unit 8 will also add another 300MW to the main grid when completed in the first quarter of 2023.

ZESA Says Electricity Situation Will Improve Soon

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) Holdings has awarded its workers US$358 in allowances and a 70% salary increment with effect from this month.
In a circular to all ZESA employees dated 13 June 2022, ZESA Executive Chairman, Sydney Gata, said the “interim salary adjustment” will not prejudice ongoing collective bargaining. Read the circular below:
<blockquote>
SALARY REVIEW
I wish to advise all staff that they shall receive reviewed salaries and allowances for the period June to December 2022 as follows:
1. A 70% adjustment on basic salary from June 2022
2. USD 150 Covid Allowance up to December 2022 payable at the prevailing 
Interbank rate
3. USD88 Transport Allowance payable at the prevailing Interbank rate.
4. USD120 Canteen Allowance payable at the prevailing Interbank rate.
The above changes will be incorporated into the June 2022 payroll.
Kindly note that this interim salary adjustment is on a without prejudice basis to the ongoing 2022 Industry Collective Bargaining Negotiations.
The adjustment is therefore being implemented as a stop-gap measure to cushion employees in view of the increased cost of living.
Therefore, any outcome of the negotiations shall take into account the increases made so far for the year 2022.
Management undertakes to continuously engage with employees in the spirit of improving their welfare and enhancing productivity.
</blockquote>
<img alt="Image" decoding="async" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FVbzAM_WIAAa4n3?format=jpg&amp;name=medium"/>

ZESA Awards Workers 70% Salary Hike Plus US$358 In Allowances

ZESA Holdings is owed $15 billion by both individuals and commercial and industrial customers, executive chairman Sydney Gata said on Friday last week.
Gata revealed this at the launch event for the power utility’s revenue assurance measures, where he also highlighted that ZESA was losing out significant potential revenue inflows due to illegal connections and primitive ways of billing. He said:
<blockquote>
As it stands, ZESA is owed $15 billion by individuals and companies which is inhibiting the smooth flow of operations in the power utility.
Some corporate clients are not paying their bills and even others are engaging in energy theft.
… In 2020 alone we reported a 19 per cent system loss, against an international benchmark of only 10 per cent.
Also, there are still metering, billing and collections challenges across the country as 100 000 customers are still on load limit and post metering, that kind of metering allows to a lot of leakages.
</blockquote>
Gata said ZESA is negotiating with Mozambique and Zambia over the supply of over 450 megawatts of supplementary electricity to complement the current limited generation in the country.
ZESA is anticipating a supply of 100 megawatts from Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) and 180 megawatts before Christmas from Mozambique’s Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM) and Cahorra Bassa. Gata said:
<blockquote>
To meet the current electricity shortages we are not short of strategic responses, as we speak today, we are just about to finalise an agreement with Zambia’s ZESCO which will immediately deliver 100MW and 200MW in January that ought to give us some stability, we are also about to conclude an agreement with Cahorra Bassa in Mozambique to deliver 180MW before Christmas, so there it is some 500 megawatts that will be available and plans for that are now in an irreversible mode, they are going to happen.
</blockquote>
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/zesa-owed-15bn-by-customers">The Sunday Mail</a></h4>

ZESA Owed $15 Billion By Customers In Unpaid Bills

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) executive chairperson Sydney Gata has accused Finance Ministry secretary George Guvamatanga of refusing to guarantee Independent Power Producers’ (IPPs) deals and unlock their funding. 

The deals have the potential to produce 300 megawatts of electricity, which would go a long way in easing the current power crisis that has seriously affected the operations of business and industry.
In his address during a tour of the Hwange Power Plant Monday, Gata said the IPPs were failing to take off because Guvamatanga, as the Finance Ministry Secretary, was taking too long to guarantee the projects.
The government last year licensed dozens of IPPs but they require the Finance Ministry to provide the necessary surety. Gata said:
<blockquote>
The secretary for Finance is the main culprit. I can put it in writing so that you can go and tell him this is what I said.
It is the Ministry of Finance that is responsible for issuing those guarantees which can unlock a lot of capacity that can end load shedding.
Not only that, we could export electricity to South Africa, Botswana, and Namibia which are more desperate than ourselves.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s energy supply remains fragile and relies on power imports to plug the shortfall, and due to the depressed generation capacity, only 40% of houses in the country have access to electricity with 83% in urban areas and the remainder in rural areas.
Zimbabwe is targeting to add more than 2 000 MW to the national grid mostly from renewable and cleaner sources, including solar, wind, and other sources by 2030.
More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/zesa-chair-gata-slams-guvamatanga-for-stalling-solar-power-plants/">NewZimbabwe</a>

ZESA Chairperson: Finance Secretary Guvamatanga "Culprit" In Stalling Solar Power Plants

Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) chief executive officer Sydney Gata has allegedly been bragging of protection he gets from President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This comes amid reports Gata’s recently appointed nephews and friends are earning hefty USD$ 16 000 monthly salaries each and top of the range cars among huge benefits from the power utility.
Gata’s kins Fortune Sambo, Macrone Utah, Engineer Nyachowe and Emmanuel Midzi among other cronies including the likes of George Manyaya and Egen Choga are currently earning hefty salaries and huge benefits necessitated by the retrenchment of employees that did not enjoy the luxury of these benefits.
Nehanda Radio reports that Gata is actually lobbying for the hiking of ZESA tariffs that will burden ordinary citizens while his relatives and cronies are enjoying massive salaries and benefits. Said a source: 

<blockquote>
Where on earth have you seen or witnessed the chief executive officer, nephew and uncle being called from home with no procedure or interviews.
To be allocated a monthly salary of $US 16 000, as if that is not enough just a couple of hours ago they were issued with brand new Prados and Fortuners.
Gata actually has the audacity to brag that he visited President Emmerson Mnangagwa last weekend and requested for tariff increases to further burden low-income earners.
</blockquote>
Gata’s kin and kith reemployed at ZESA were top executive officers during the reign of the late former president Robert Mugabe.
A source that spoke to Nehada Radio said about 8 000 ZESA employees are being underpaid at the expense of Gata’s relatives and friends. Added the source:
<blockquote>
Gata is stealing with the first family.
Gata bragged that the last report by ZACC was poured cold water by HE (Mnangagwa). ZACC wanted him arrested but the President said no. Guys I’m shocked at this level of corruption. He is also protected by Godwin Matanga, his nephew (Commissioner General of Police).
</blockquote>
Gata who is the brother-in-law of the late former president Robert Mugabe <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/11/28/energy-minister-speaks-on-the-re-appointment-of-mugabes-brother-in-law/">was re-appointment to the post in November 2019</a> after being fired for incompetence in 2006. 

More: <a href="https://nehandaradio.com/2021/09/27/gata-brags-of-ed-protection-as-nephews-pocket-us16k-salaries-at-zesa/">Nehanda Radio</a>

ZESA Boss Gata Brags Of ED's Protection As Nephews Earn US$16K Monthly

ZESA Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Sydney Gata, reportedly survived an assassination attempt in the wee hours of Saturday in Harare.
According to ZimLive, a black twin cab without number plates pulled up alongside the silver-grey Mercedes carrying the 74-year-old along Airport Road and its occupants fired multiple shots at Gata.
Gata had just returned home aboard a Kenyan Airways flight and was being driven away from the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport at around 2 AM when the incident occurred.
ZimLive reported a security source saying when Gata’s Mercedes was examined, it had at least five bullet holes, but none of the shots hit Gata or his driver, who accelerated away from the twin cab.
Gata made headlines a few months ago after President Emmerson Mnangagwa suspended him together with the entire ZESA board for gross misconduct and corruption.
<a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/09/15/full-text-suspended-zesa-boss-sydney-gata-reinstated/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The president, however, reinstated 4 weeks later</a> after an interim report from an investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) cleared Gata of the four allegations of corruption.
The four accusations were as follows:
<blockquote>i) Self-allocation of six vehicles for personal and family use;
ii) Authorising an expenditure of zw$10 million for Christmas parties in Hwange and Kariba in 2019 without Board approval;
iii) Unilaterally installing solar equipment at his residence in Borrowdale using ZESA funds;
iv) Setting up a Trust called ZESIT to undertake several ZESA projects;</blockquote>
ZACC was however not done investigating allegations of interference with the probe process and alleged payment of ghost workers.
<h4>Source: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/2020/12/05/zesa-executive-chairman-sydney-gata-survives-assassination-attempt/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ZimLive.com</a></h4>

Gata Survives 'Assassination Attempt' In Harare

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday ordered the reinstatement of the ZESA Board before ZACC finalised its investigation into their alleged corruption, The Herald reports.
This was revealed in a circular that stated that Sydney Gata had been reinstated after being cleared of all corruption charges levelled against him. In the memo, Dr Musheck Sibanda Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet said:
<blockquote>
That the board members also continue in their positions until the finalisation of the investigations. Besides investigating the six allegations against Dr Gata and unspecified allegations against the board members, Zacc also looked into the Intratek Gwanda solar project, the Mutare peaking plant project, the conduct of the former Energy Minister Advocate Fortune Chasi in his dealings with Zesa and conduct of ministry officials in their dealings with Zesa
</blockquote>
On the way forward after the controversial reinstatement, Sibanda’s statement said the new energy minister Zhemu Soda should make his own assessment and present his recommendations to the president by 30 November:
<blockquote>That the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Zhemu Soda, should examine corporate governance issues that have been raised in the Zacc interim report and present his recommendations on the same to His Excellency the President by November 30, 2020.</blockquote>
ED in ordering the reinstatement said ZESA was at the epicentre of Zimbabwe’s Economy and it could not operate below optimal efficiency. Gata was suspended on allegations of corruption which includes authorising the payment ghost workers
More: <a href="https://www.herald.co.zw/zesa-board-reinstated/">The Herald</a>

ED Orders The Reinstatement Of ZESA Board Before ZACC Finalises Investigations

<blockquote>UPDATE ON ZACC INVESTIGATIONS ON THE EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN OF ZESA HOLDINGS AND THE ENTIRE ZESA BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON ALLEGATIONS OF GROSS MISCONDUCT
On August 6 2020, His Excellency President, Cde E. D. Mnangagwa, suspended the Executive Chairman of ZESA Holdings and his entire Board of Directors on allegations of gross misconduct that had been levelled against them. The suspension was in terms of section 16 (1) (a) as read with section 16 (1) (d) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act. His Excellency the President then referred the matter to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) for investigations focusing on the following issues:
a) The allegations levelled against the Executive Chairman by the former Honourable Minister of Energy and Power Development, Advocate Fortune Chasi.
b) Any other underlying corrupt practices by ZESA Board Members and within the electricity sector as a whole.
His Excellency the President further requested ZACC to complete its investigations and submit a Report of its findings within a period of four (4) weeks from the date of referral. ZACC completed its Interim Report on 4 September 2020 which has since been received by His Excellency the President. However, investigations remain in progress until their logical conclusion.
The Interim Report indicates that corruption investigations also covered the following issues:
1. The Intratek Gwanda Solar Project;
2. The Mutare Peaking Plant Project;
3. Conduct of the former Minister of Energy and Power Development in his dealings with ZESA;
4. Conduct of the officials in the Ministry of Energy and Power Development in their dealings with ZESA.
The Interim Report further examined corporate governance at ZESA and proffered recommendations on the subject.
At the commencement of the ZACC investigations, the Executive Chairman, Dr S Gata was accused of six (6) acts of misconduct namely:
i) Self-allocation of six vehicles for personal and 
family use;
ii) Authorising an expenditure of zw$10 million for Christmas parties in Hwange and Kariba in 2019 without Board approval;
iii) Unilaterally installing solar equipment at his residence in Borrowdale using ZESA funds;
iv) Setting up a Trust called ZESIT to undertake several ZESA projects;
v) Interfering with disciplinary process, in particular, that of Mrs Norah Tsomondo, the Company Secretary of the Zimbabwe Power Company (Pvt) Limited; and
vi) Allegedly authorizing the payment of ghost employees and his personal workers on the ZESA payroll under the misrepresentation that they were employed by ZESA.
The Interim Report cleared Dr Gata of the first four (4) allegations. With regards to the last two (2) allegations, ZACC is yet to conclude its investigations.
With regards to allegations against the Board members, the Interim Report indicates that the investigations are still in progress.
His Excellency the President, being cognisant of the fact that ZESA is at the epicentre of the economic activity of the Nation and that it would not be desirable for this entity to operate below optimal efficiency due to lack of leadership at its helm, has directed as follows:
1. That the Executive Chairman of ZESA, Dr S Gata, while investigations are on-going, be allowed to carry on his responsibility as Executive Chairman;
2. That the Board members also continue in their positions until the finalization of the investigations; and
3. That the Minister of Energy and Power Development,
Hon Z Soda should examine corporate governance issues that have been raised in the ZACC Interim Report and present his recommendations on the same to His Excellency the President by 30 November 2020.
Dr M SM Sibanda 
CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE PRESIDENT AND CABINET 15 September 2020</blockquote>

Full Text: Suspended ZESA Boss, Sydney Gata Reinstated

An audio that ZimMorning Post is in possession of exposes how a ZESIT official James Dzumbira reportedly exposed suspended ZESA CEO Sydney Gata’s alleged corruption, ZimMorning Post reports.
In the alleged audio Dzumbira is reportedly heard instructing ZETDC Information Technology department boss identified as Freeman Chikonzo to open an IT company that will be awarded a digitalisation project contract.
Dzumbira reportedly even said Gata will fund them if they submit a concept proposal to ZESIT with the assurance that they will be awarded the contract.
In the audio Dzumbira reportedly said:
<blockquote>What I want you to do is set up a team of IT fundis in three to four days. We are having presentations next week at the national training centre and once the team submits a concept proposal ,we then say this and this company is ready for the project and we submit the proposal to chairman (Gata) and he will give us the money.
What we are doing is trying to assist Zesa, revenue assurance, digitalisation, generation. We are looking for people to work with because that is what the chairman wants.remember. Tikada kumirira kwenyu, it will take forever, going to tender and all the processes, but if we go via trust it will be quicker,
So your team can give us a proposal for digitalisation and we doing presentations next week at the national training centre. We meet them and tofamba tiriright</blockquote>
Dzambura reportedly told Chikonzo that the project could be his retirement plan and said:
<blockquote>Isn’t it you will need to retire,that is where you get something.</blockquote>
Gata was suspended by the president who also dissolved the entire ZESA board on graft charges last month.
More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/zesa-scandal-zesit-official-exposes-gata/">ZimMorning Post </a>

Leaked Audio Exposes Former ZESA Boss Sydney Gata's Alleged Corruption

The suspended chairperson of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, Sydney Gata has said his corruption case now needs the intervention of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
<a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/energy-minister-says-corruption-scandals-at-zesa-involving-gata-need-thorough-investigations/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gata is accused of a number of issues</a> including criminal abuse of office and conversion of the parastatal’s vehicles into personal use.
He is currently on a suspension that was effected to pave way for investigations. Gata, however, is denying the allegations. He wrote to the Energy Minister Fortune Chasi:
<blockquote>It is clear from the foregoing that I respectfully take the view that your letter … ought not be the basis of the way forward between you (as the line minister) and the executive chairman. I believe this a matter that requires, on an urgent basis, the mediation role of the Office of the President and Cabinet. I will engage that mediation role without delay.
Regrettably your letter has created a state of affairs where the board whose members are purportedly seeking to implement your directive are no longer in a position to serve the interest of the company.</blockquote>
He added that he was obliged to act immediately in terms of his mandate as the executive chairperson “to protect the interest of Zesa Holdings.”
More: <a href="https://nehandaradio.com/2020/08/04/gata-accuses-chasi-of-undermining-efforts-to-curb-corruption-at-zesa/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nehanda Radio</a>

ZESA Board Chair Gata Says His Corruption Case Needs Mediation Role Of President Mnangagwa

The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) executive board chairperson Sydney Gata is being accused of abusing his office to pay his company’s employees using public funds, among other misdemeanours.
A report sent to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) indicates that Gata has been using a private entity, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Industry Trust (ZESIT) to carry out projects meant to be done by ZESA.
He is also accused of using the power utility’s funds to pay “ghost” employees such as one Peter Mutsaka who is neither a ZESA employee nor consultant.
<blockquote>Engineer Peter Mutsaka has been placed on the Zesa payroll without a contract.
He draws a salary from and utilises public funds but has no contract with the company as either an employee or consultant?
Peter Mutsaka is a promoter of a company called Liberation Mining that is also seeking to work with the Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) is doing work for the company having been sponsored by the executive chairman.</blockquote>
Gata is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with ZESA, in which he is suing his employer a US$10 million claim as his retrenchment package when he was fired by the company in 2007.
<h4>More: <a href="https://zimmorningpost.com/zesa-executive-chairman-gata-in-corruption-storm/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Zim Morning Post</a></h4>

ZESA Boss Sucked In Corruption Storm

The video below shows how ZESA Holdings’ newly appointed board chairman, Sydney Gata was welcomed back by the Controllers at the Hwange Power Station.
Gata who was fired from the power utility in 2006 for alleged incompetence was hired back this month by Energy Minister, Fortune Chasi who has defended the appointment saying Gata was the right man for the job.
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 352px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="640" id="video-140881-1" preload="metadata" width="352"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GATA-RECEIVED-AT-HWANGE-POWER-STATION.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GATA-RECEIVED-AT-HWANGE-POWER-STATION.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GATA-RECEIVED-AT-HWANGE-POWER-STATION.mp4</a></video></div>

WATCH: How Newly Appointed ZESA Chairman Was Welcomed Back

The video below shows how ZESA Holdings’ newly appointed board chairman, Sydney Gata was welcomed back by the Controllers at the Hwange Power Station.
Gata who was fired from the power utility in 2006 for alleged incompetence was hired back this month by Energy Minister, Fortune Chasi who has defended the appointment saying Gata was the right man for the job.
<div>
<video controls="controls" height="640" preload="metadata" width="352"><a href="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GATA-RECEIVED-AT-HWANGE-POWER-STATION.mp4">https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/GATA-RECEIVED-AT-HWANGE-POWER-STATION.mp4</a></video></div>

The government has announced the new ZESA board members that will join chairman Dr. Sydney Zukuzo Gata and vice chair Tsitsi Makovah that were <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2019/11/20/energy-minister-hires-mugabes-brother-in-law-who-was-fired-from-zesa-in-2006/">announced earlier this week</a>.
The following have been appointed non-executive directors:
<ul>
<li>Professor Ashok Chakravati</li>
<li>Rosemary Siyachitema</li>
<li>Caroline Mathonsi</li>
<li>James Muzangaza</li>
<li>Jonathan Wood</li>
<li>Stella Nkomo</li>
<li>Wadzanai Chigwa</li>
<li>Peace Rugube</li>
<li>Eliab Chikwenhere</li>
</ul>
Government came under fire earlier this week following Gata’s appointment given he was fired from the same job in 2006 and is seen as having contributed to ZESA current state. The country has been under severe load shedding of up to 19 hours a day for several months now.
You can download the <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/press-release-on-the-zesa-board-22-11-19/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">government press release announcing the new members here</a>.

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