ZESCO WARNS OF STERN ACTION AGAINST INDIVIDUALS ILLEGALY CHARGING TRADERS FOR GENSET USAGE IN MARKETS

ZESCO Warns of Stern Action Against Illegal “Generator Levy” Charges in Markets

ZESCO, the national power utility, has issued a strong warning against individuals unlawfully charging traders in markets what they are referring to as a “generator levy.” This practice involves extorting money from traders for using diesel generators that were installed to help mitigate the impact of ongoing load shedding.

Speaking to Phoenix News, ZESCO spokesperson Matongo Maumbi revealed that the utility has been receiving numerous complaints from affected traders about these unauthorized charges. He emphasized that these generators were installed to provide relief during power shortages, not to be exploited for illegal profits.

Maumbi urged traders to report any instances of these illegal charges directly to ZESCO, assuring that the utility will take immediate action. ZESCO has also begun implementing measures to closely monitor generator usage and is working with local law enforcement to crack down on the culprits involved.

In a related statement, Mr. Maumbi disclosed that ZESCO spends around K350,000 each month to operate a single diesel generator, highlighting the significant investment the utility makes to ensure uninterrupted power supply during load shedding.

By taking a firm stance, ZESCO aims to curb this illegal activity and ensure that traders are not burdened with unfair fees for essential services.