Electricity problems in Mtshabezi

INSTITUTIONS in the Mtshabezi area of Gwanda District have gone for two weeks without electricity after power utility company, Zesa reportedly failed to fix a fault after losing copper wires to thieves.

Some of the affected institutions include Mtshabezi Hospital and Mtshabezi High School. Officials said the copper wire that was supposed to be used by Zesa to fix the fault was reportedly stolen, leading to the delay in rectifying the problem.

Mtshabezi High School headmaster Mr Morgan Moyo said the problem has affected the smooth running of the school and also affected the running of examinations.

“Zesa had promised to fix the fault on Monday last week and when we contacted them they said the copper wire which was supposed to be used to fix the fault has been stolen,” he said.

Mr Moyo said although the school was now running on a generator, it was not powerful to power all the areas.

“This is worrying us because this is not the first time we have experienced the power problem,” he said.

Mtshabezi Health Service administrator Mr Richard Ndlovu said:

“When there is no electricity it automatically affects water supply, hence, departments like the hospital hardly operate without water as this exposes both the patients and staff to diseases.”

Mr Ndlovu said the hospital was now relying on water from Mtshabezi High where there is a borehole. He said the hospital has a solar back up for lighting but it was not powerful enough to power the water engine. This has also affected the mortuary, he added.

“Last week two people died and fortunately they were from the nearby village because we were going to face difficulties in keeping the bodies in the mortuary,” said Mr Ndlovu.