Zim suspends power utility boss
2008-01-03 12:03
Special Report
A classical music presenter for the BBC has been arrested and is in custody in Zimbabwe.
Johannesburg - Zimbabwe Power Company general manager Nobert Matarutse has been suspended for alleged incompetence, among other issues, the Herald online has reported.
"Matarutse, who heads Zesa Holdings' key subsidiary responsible for power generation, was debarred from office on December 17 2007 pending finalisation of investigations," the website said.
It was not immediately clear what other charges had been levelled against him.
However, the Herald had gathered that the Zesa Holdings board had accused Matarutse of "failing to improve the electricity supply situation in the country".
The board alleged that the general manager caused delays in refurbishing units 4 and 5 at Hwange Thermal Power Station despite the release of Z$60bn for works by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
"It had also become clearer that the power problem went deeper than the coal supply deficiencies that have been routinely cited as the major cause of current power generation and supply bottlenecks," the Herald said.
Zim electricity situation 'not improved'
Indications were that Hwange Colliery Limited had raised coal production by nearly 100% in the last two months.
In spite of increased deliveries to Hwange Thermal Power Station - a coal-fired plant - the electricity situation in Zimbabwe had not improved.
Matarutse was directly responsible for the generation of power at the Hwange station, and three smaller coal-fired stations in Harare, Bulawayo and Munyati in his capacity as ZPC general manager.
"Mr Matarutse has systematically provided misleading information as regards the power supply situation," sources told the newspaper.
"Such misinformation has resulted in frequent power outages, some of which could have been avoided with proper planning. The general manager did not do this."
Investigations still in progress
Zesa Holdings chief executive Ben Rafemoyo confirmed the suspension.
He said: "Investigations are still in progress, and once they are finalised, the board will issue a statement. Other details largely remain an internal matter."
Matarutse acknowledged the suspension, but refused to discuss details with the Herald, saying it was a Zesa board matter. Zimbabwe had recently suffered serious electricity shortages.
The situation had been blamed on low coal supplies, ageing equipment plus general lack of investment in power generation projects.
Hwange Thermal Power Station, which was managed by ZPC, had chronically under-performed due to coal shortages.
Imported electricity, which constituted 35% of Zimbabwe's power needs, had come at a heavy cost in foreign currency.
Zesa had been switched off several times by its external suppliers for failing to service the huge forex debt, the Herald said.
- SAPA