Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company (ZETDC) is threatening to penalise Harare residents for failure to cut trees or for building structures which eventually damage power lines.
Section 39 of the Electricity Act prohibits buildings and structures from anywhere near powerlines and trees and overhanging branches are not permitted within 4,5 meters from 11- kv lines.
Harare Metropolitan Province; Provincial Development Coordinator, Tafadzwa Muguti said, “The property owner will now be responsible for the full costs of repairs, labour and fuel costs incurred by ZETDC in repairing the power line in the property and any other damages caused to ZETDC infrastructure.”
“All costs shall be allocated to that property’s electricity account as a penalty for negligence”
The Provincial Development Coordinator pleaded with the capital city residents and businesses to cooperate fully with ZETDC to avoid penalties and most inconveniencing with unwarranted power cuts.
“ln recent weeks, many trees have fallen on power lines causing unwarranted power outages,” said Muguti.
“ln particular, Harare Northern Suburbs are the most non-compliant as many homeowners are refusing to cut trees and also refusing ZETDC engineers to gain access to their properties, whilst illegal settlements across all Districts are building structures along power servitudes.”
“ln the same vein all local authorities are herein asked to cut trees that have overgrown and clear all illegal structures in power servitudes as guided by the Provisions of Development Control.”
Electricity infrastructure in Zimbabwe’s rainy season which is currently taking place, particularly cables and poles are affected usually by falling trees according to the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) officials.
Natural occurrences including heavy lightning, thunderstorms, flooding and falling trees on the electricity distribution network resulting in damage to infrastructure and disruption of supplies.
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