As power outages bite, business pleads for duty-fr...

As power outages bite, business pleads for duty-free generators, solar gadgets

Zim Now Writer

As the power crisis continues, the business community has since asked government for duty-free importation of solar gadgets and generators.

Businesses have resorted to using other sources of energy such as generators despite the high costs involved.

The cost of solar gadgets and installation can also be costly.

Recently, the Minister of Energy and Power Development, Soda Zhemu said the government is in a fix.

South Africa, which is also battling an energy crisis in its own backyard, has since stopped supplying power to Zimbabwe, making the situation even more desperate.

Retailers Association of Zimbabwe president Denford Mutashu has gone on his knees, pleading with government for duty-free importation.

“We call upon government to also waive duty for importation of generators as well as an array of solar gadgets into the country. This can also alleviate the impact of the current challenges that we are facing as businesses.

“It’s a crisis on both the supply and the payments issue. As you may also remember, the power supplier has demanded payment of electricity exclusively in foreign currency the USD, especially for commercial purposes.

“This means there is more pressure on businesses. It piles more pressure on pricing, it also piles more pressure on members of the public and consumers. Ultimately, prices rise because of power challenges. It affects the budgeting by the majority and generality of Zimbabweans,” Mutashu told a local publication

Matabeleland Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) chairperson Mr McKenzie Dongo told a local publication that businesses have resorted to using different and expensive sources of energy like solar and generators, and the cost is passed on to consumers.