… as GRRA speaks against violence
Tinaani Nyabereka
The recent surge in GBV cases has been attributed to increased power cuts as the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) continues to intensify its load shedding operations across the nation.
Speaking during a Residents-Stakeholders engagement meeting with Ward 17 residents , Zesa and Zimbabwe Republic Police’s Victim’s Friendly Unit (VFU) under the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA) Women Empowerment Initiative last week, GRRA director, Selipiwe Conerlia said findings conducted by her organisation revealed how constant power outages were triggering domestic violence in communities.
He further highlighted the need for all stakeholders to unite and foster solutions which minimize domestic violence and vandalism of electrical equipment.
“The shortage of power in our area has become a challenge. This has even triggered issues to do with domestic violence as most women are now victims to most household disputes,” Conerlia said.
Ward 17 resident, Margret Hove highlighted how load shedding has become the cause of most GBV cases in the community.
“The problem we have with Zesa’s load shedding is that most mothers are failing to prepare food on time. Another challenge is sometimes we do not even have money to buy gas or paraffin.
“So when our husbands come back from work they will be tired and hungry to find out that nothing would have been prepared. The end result is then centred on blame games and fights due to these power cuts,” she said.
Another resident, Hilda Chiramba of Mkoba 19 appealed to Zesa to monitor its substations and electrical switches as thieves were terrorizing and vandalizing properties.
“I stay in Mkoba 19 and we have a serious challenge there. We have a boy called Lovemore who is mentally challenged and goes around playing with electrical switches and sometimes switching off electricity at one of your substations in the suburb as the doors can no longer shut well.
“We appeal to you to come and close these doors as the station poses great risk to the young man. One day you will hear reports of him electrocuted. We are facing high crime and robbery cases due to load shedding, do something about this,” she added.
Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution Company (ZETDC) Southern Region, Public Relations Officer, Edward Nyoni explained the load shedding process saying it was all under efforts to safeguard and share the little available power to everyone.
“There are issues of power shortages in the country, so load shedding is centred on making sure that we share electricity sparingly amongst everyone.
“The reason behind is we are having challenges where our electricity is generated, that is at Hwange and Kariba power stations as we do not have storage facilities for power,” Nyoni said.
He also pointed out the issue of vandalism of infrastructure as another hindrance to power supply stability.
“On the other hand vandalism of Zesa property is contributing to power outages as well .Some people are stealing cables and oil from our transformers, a thing which is making it difficult for us to provide much needed power.
“We are working with police on daily basis to bring these culprits to book. Am sure you are now aware that the jail term for stealing Zesa property is stiffer. Be our eyes and report any acts of vandalism.” he added.
Meanwhile in its campaign against gender based violence, ZRP Gweru Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) team however, urged victims of GBV to report cases of violence without fear.
The call against GBV comes at a time when many are being urged to report cases of abuse.
Cases of GBV when convicted now attracts a prison sentence of 24-26 months.
