Zesa restructuring put on ice

RESTRUCTURING of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority, in which subsidiaries are to be re-bundled, has been put on ice pending finalisation of a forensic audit that is expected to be complete before year-end.

Energy and Power Development Minister Dr Jorum Gumbo last week said the audit results would guide the restructuring.

“I will not rush to make any decisions but will wait for the audit so I can make informed decisions on the way forward,” said Dr Gumbo.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa ordered a probe into the power utility, with particular emphasis on suspicious tendering processes. At least 15 senior managers across all subsidiaries were suspended last month to pave way for investigations.

Cabinet is understood to want a single Zesa board to superintend the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission Distribution Company, the Zimbabwe Power Company and Zesa Enterprises. The new board will be tasked with engaging strategic partners for operations where it deems necessary.

Strategic and electricity infrastructure-linked activities of Powertel will be placed under ZETDC, whilst telecommunication assets will be merged with two other public entities — Zarnet and Africom. Dr Gumbo said while Zesa Holdings board was still in place, but those of the subsidiaries had been dissolved.

“The current board at Zesa has about a month left to serve for the current tenure and I will also use the forensic audit findings to see whether the board deserves to be reappointed or if it should be replaced as we put Zesa under one board,” he said.

Restructuring of the power entity entails amending sections of the Electricity Act.

Government will engage a human resources consultant to assist in coming up with a new organisational structure and staffing issues.