Connect with us

Local News

ZESA WOES: Strive Masiyiwa Offered To End Power Crisis But This Happened

Published

on

ZESA WOES: Strive Masiyiwa Offered To End Power Crisis But This Happened

Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and former chairman of Econet Wireless Global Ltd asserted that if it weren’t for corrupt people looking to get a piece of the national pie, he could have easily resolved the energy crisis in Zimbabwe.

Masiyiwa claims he approached ZESA around 2007, during the hyperinflation era when his mobile communication business was heavily impacted by lack of electricity but was forced to abandon the project as corrupt individuals made ludicrous demands.

Why I hate corruption!

In about 2007, as Zimbabwe lurched into hyper inflation, and foreign currency disappeared, our local management were faced with a big, big problem:

Advertisement

Electrical power!

The cell phone network is one of the biggest single consumer of electricity in the country. Over 10MW distributed nationally. Base stations were collapsing, and service was degrading on a daily basis.

The management travelled to SA to meet the board and discuss an emergency solution:

We brought in experts including many former engineers of the national power company [ZESA] to try and understand what could be done.

Advertisement

There is no problem without a solution, if you bring in the right people!

Finally we came up with a plan, and we asked the CEO of Econet Zimbabwe to present it to the management of ZESA:

The plan would have unlocked over $250m in loans guaranteed by us, and over 500MW of power. It would have seen the country able to build new facilities.

The response from the ZESA management [at the time] was scandalous!

Advertisement

Totally scandalous!

They told us: “since you are not popular with government, they will not listen to you. Let’s form a private company with some of our own executives, and you can lend money to that company secretly!”

One even proposed his brother as a director of such a company!

I was stunned when I heard.

Advertisement

Next we approached the power regulator, and asked for an independent license to produce power. They told us that they had already given licenses to people who had not built, so they could not issue another license, even though they appreciated, we could build!

And guess what?!

The politically connected guys who had licenses were then tipped off, and they came rushing to see us, with the most ludicrous corrupt proposals:

“You provide 100% funding, and give me 51% for free” one demanded.

Advertisement

One guy even flew to SA in a bid to see me personally!

I refused to even see him!

Our board withdrew the efforts, and we just gritted our teeth to weather the storm.

We were forced to shut down large sections of our network.

Advertisement

Sad!

Strive Masiyiwa

ZESA WOES: Strive Masiyiwa Offered To End Power Crisis But This Happened

You May Like: ZESA: Mnangagwa Plans To Disconnect Households From National Grid

Advertisement

Zimbabwe is currently grappling with power cuts lasting for about 19 hours every day.

Permanent secretary in the ministry of information Nick Mangwana says the government is seized with implementing immediate mitigatory measures to bring normalcy to the ZESA powercuts. Here is what he had to say;

“The power cuts are causing distress, inconvenience and cost to the citizenry and business. This is regrettable. The challenge is affecting part of our region. Govt is seized with implementing immediate mitigatory measures to bring normalcy”.

Government has resorted to importing electricity from neighbouring countries. Nick Mangwana said;

Advertisement

“Are we currently importing electricity? The answer is yes, from South Africa, Zambia and Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM). In this clip, Energy Secretary, Dr Magombo explains how much from each”, he tweeted.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Check out Entertainment

Video Of JT Voltz Kissing Holy Ten's Wife Kimberly Surfaces Video Of JT Voltz Kissing Holy Ten's Wife Kimberly Surfaces
Celebrities21 mins ago

Video Of JT Voltz Kissing Holy Ten’s Wife Kimberly Surfaces

Holy Ten’s marriage to Kimberly Richards has brought with it a number of hidden dirty linen about the Zim Hip...

Tonight On Uzalo (Watch) Tonight On Uzalo (Watch)
Entertainment3 hours ago

Tonight On Uzalo (Watch)

On tonight’s episode of Uzalo… Sibonelo is wary of Nomaswazi’s intentions with him after Njinji’s revelation. Muzi has a medical...

Entertainment10 hours ago

“The Gods Must Be Crazy” actress Leonora Jacobs was never paid for her role in the movie

“The Gods Must Be Crazy” Namibian actress Leonora Jacobs has left social media stunned after she made a shocking revelation...

The telenovela, The Wife, which is currently in its third season is nearly reaching its ending credits as the drama will surely conclude on the remaining episodes that are left. The telenovela, The Wife, which is currently in its third season is nearly reaching its ending credits as the drama will surely conclude on the remaining episodes that are left.
Entertainment10 hours ago

The End Is Near For South Africa’s Loved Telenova ‘The Wife’

The telenovela, The Wife, which is currently in its third season is nearly reaching its ending credits as the drama will surely...

Vusi Ma R5’s grave vandalised. Images via Twitter @dipuo1026 Vusi Ma R5’s grave vandalised. Images via Twitter @dipuo1026
Celebrities1 day ago

Vusi Ma R5’s Family Horrified After Suspected Rituals At His Grave

Bacardi music pioneer Vusi Ma R5’s family say the images of his vandalised grave have them fearing for their lives...

Andile Mpisane showed off his latest luxury car – a Mercedes Maybach S Class. Images via Instagram @andilempisane10 Andile Mpisane showed off his latest luxury car – a Mercedes Maybach S Class. Images via Instagram @andilempisane10
Celebrities1 day ago

Andile Mpisane Adds R4 Million Car To His Collection For His Birthday

With a luxury car collection that rivals that of international superstars, it was only fitting for Andile Mpisane to spoil...

Award winning film maker Nompumelelo Ngqula has died Award winning film maker Nompumelelo Ngqula has died
Celebrities2 days ago

Award winning film maker Nompumelelo Ngqula has died

South African filmmaker and creative Nompumelelo Ngqula died late on Thursday evening, her family announced on Friday. Ngqula worked on...

John Wick Movie Star Lance Riddick Dies John Wick Movie Star Lance Riddick Dies
Celebrities3 days ago

John Wick Movie Star Lance Reddick Dies

Lance Reddick, who appeared in major TV series like “The Wire,” “Fringe” and “Bosch” and films like the “John Wick”...

Melita on Skeem Saam is a typical nyatsi. She seems to think the man she’s having an affair with will leave his wife for her. But he’s just using her to pass time. Melita on Skeem Saam is a typical nyatsi. She seems to think the man she’s having an affair with will leave his wife for her. But he’s just using her to pass time.
Entertainment3 days ago

Skeem Saam Actress’ Dirty Games Exposed

Melita on Skeem Saam is a typical nyatsi. She seems to think the man she’s having an affair with will...

The Johannesburg High Court has reportedly finally ordered Imbewu: The Seed Actress Phindile Gwala-Ngandu to settle her electricity bill. Last year December, the actress was taken to court after failing to settle her R100 000 outstanding electricity bill. The Johannesburg High Court has reportedly finally ordered Imbewu: The Seed Actress Phindile Gwala-Ngandu to settle her electricity bill. Last year December, the actress was taken to court after failing to settle her R100 000 outstanding electricity bill.
Celebrities3 days ago

Actress Phindile Gwala Fails To Pay R100k Electricity Bill

The Johannesburg High Court has reportedly finally ordered Imbewu: The Seed Actress Phindile Gwala-Ngandu to settle her electricity bill. Last...

Advertisement

Trending