The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), ZESA’s power distribution arm, has started installing prepaid electricity meters on public street and tower lights. The rollout, currently underway in Bulawayo and Chitungwiza, aims to improve service delivery, reduce losses, and ensure local councils pay for the power they use. ZETDC claims that councils were notified of the plan as far back as June 2024 and were sent reminders in May 2025.

Each newly installed meter was pre-loaded with units to allow for a smooth transition, but now that these “grace units” have run out, ZETDC is blaming councils for not purchasing tokens to keep the lights on. The power utility asserts that the current disconnections are a direct result of municipalities failing to buy electricity tokens.

ZETDC emphasizes that the prepaid meter installation project is part of its efforts to make councils take responsibility for their electricity usage, just like regular households. The company says it has consistently engaged with councils and provided necessary documentation to facilitate registration and token purchase.

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