Electrician jailed 10-years for by-passing ZESA meter to enjoy free electricity

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A prominent Rusape electrician, who by-passed a Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) meter and enjoyed free access and use of power for some time, has been jailed for the mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment.

John Chiwaka (55), of Vengere suburb in Rusape, appeared before magistrate Mrs Barbra Mateko facing allegations of tempering with ZESA apparatus as defined in section 60 (3) of the electricity amendment act which criminalises the tempering of ZESA infrastructure including bypassing the meter.

Chiwaka pleaded not guilty to the offence but however, overwhelming evidence was led against him and convicted of the offence at the end of the trial.

Prosecutor Faith Mutukwa appeared for the state and said the offence only came to light when a ZESA official discovered it.

“On July 2 2025 at around 1 pm ZESA Loss Control Officer, Lux Bungu was on duty inspecting houses in Vengere location. He arrived at house number GHK 3424 and noticed that the accused person disconnected a 16 square millimeters red cable which connects electricity from the MCB to the meter and put a 2,5 square millimeters red cable to bypass the electricity meter.

“The accused person acted unlawfully,” said Mutukwa.