Illegal electricity connection costs Mvuma man dear

MVUMA – A 50-year-old Mvuma resident escaped harsh punishment after admitting to illegal electricity connection at his home, resulting in a ZWL 1237.60 loss (364 units) to Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZEDTC).
Tawanda Choga pleaded guilty to illegal power connection charges when he appeared before the Mvuma Magistrate’s court.
The accused person was sentenced to 6 months’ imprisonment with 4 months suspended on condition that he restitutes ZEDTC ZWL 1 237.60 on or before November 30 and the remaining 2 months were suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that he does not commit a similar offence during that period.
The State alleges that between March 26 and May 2, 2024, the accused bypassed the meter by disconnecting the electricity line conductor and reconnecting it directly to their consumption point, thereby avoiding payment.
The court heard that the accused person’s actions resulted in ZEDTC losing 364 units of electricity, worth ZWL 1237.60.