Blitz on banned bulbs intensify:

THE Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and the police have intensified a blitz to bring to book wholesalers, contractors and individuals who are disregarding regulations of saving electricity.

Government early this year banned the importation, manufacture and sale of inefficient incandescent bulbs, a development aimed at saving Zimbabwe up to 40 megawatts of electricity.

In an interview on the sidelines of a stakeholders meeting on the banning of the energy-sapping bulbs at a Mutare hotel recently, ZERA technical director, Engineer Misheck Siyakatshana, said over 6 000 filament light bulbs were seized during the blitz and violators were brought to book.

The blitz which is set to cover the whole country will soon intensify in Manicaland.

Mr Siyakatshana urged wholesalers, contractors and individuals to obey the regulations and avoid hefty fines, court appearance and wasting money on ille- gal stocks.

The move could also save the country over $1 million a month in power imports.

ZERA accompanied by police and other stakeholders such as ZIMRA will be conducting inspections at border posts, warehouses and retail outlets.

Eng Siyakatshana said the regulation would help alleviate power shortages since incandescent lamps use 10 times more energy than the equivalent LED lamps for the same light output.

“Those caught on the wrong side of the law faces a lengthy jail term. We have started implementing the programme of impounding the banned products. We have already confiscated thousands of bulbs particularly in Harare.

“We will be in Manicaland soon. We have made it clear that it is an offence for a retailer or wholesaler to sell a product which does not meet minimum energy performance standard. We are happy with the progress that has been made so far. The response we have received so far is overwhelming,” he said.