ZESA feels hailstorm shock

SIFISO MAPURANGA

The power utility, ZESA, through its subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) has felt the impact of the hailstorms that ravaged most parts of the country in the last two days and warned consumers that those experiencing power faults may have to wait a bit longer before they are attended to as they are overwhelmed.

Violent thunderstorms hit most parts of the country since Monday leaving a trail of destruction mainly on infrastructure with ZETDC not spared.

Consumers have gone for hours without power with the power utility, reeling from struggles to import power and non-paying debtors, pleading for patience.

The company said it already had a weighing workload and the hailstorms have worsened the situation.

Trees fell on overhead lines and electricity poles collapsed due to the hailstorms.

ZETDC acting Chief Public Relations Officer Alaina Suliwa said consumers should be patient with them.

“During the rainy season there is a high prevalence of network fault due to trees falling on overhead lines, falling of electricity poles, water sipping to underground cables and lightning striking critical electricity equipment and infrastructure,” he said.

“Due to the increase in number of faults, ZETDC would like to advice that the turnaround time in attending to these faults in restoring power to its customers will take longer than expected,” he added.