ZETDC says Masvingo customers do not have to pay for October inspections

The notice, headed "Notice on Statutory Inspections Exercise", says the utility "will be conducting statutory inspections during the month of October 2026". It states: "Customers are not required to pay anything for this exercise."

ZETDC says its teams "will be in their ZETDC branded worksuits and in possession of official ID cards". The notice does not tell customers what to do if a visitor cannot show identification.

The areas listed are Mucheke, Target Kopje, Rujeko, Zimre Park, KMP, the central business district, Hillside, the Industrial Area, Runyararo West, Rhodene and Victoria Range.

The notice gives no dates for individual areas, no figure for the number of properties to be visited and no list of the installations to be examined. It does not say which types of premises will be inspected, and it does not say that customers must register or pay in advance.

Under a "feedback" heading, it lists several ways to reach the utility. These are the customer line 704, the numbers 08688003485 and 08688003486, 0242704040, WhatsApp on +263715519387, the email address contactcentre@zetdc.co.zw, and the @ZetdcOfficial accounts on X and Facebook. The utility's website is www.zetdc.co.zw.

Why payment is a live question

Payment for these inspections has been contested before. On 27 March 2025, ZETDC announced a US$25 fee for statutory inspections and re-inspections for all customers. The same notice set generator inspection fees of between US$5 and US$100, depending on the size and type of generator. The generator fees applied to petrol, diesel, solar and wind units.

ZETDC said at the time that no payments should be made to individuals during inspections. It said all payments must go through official ZETDC platforms, with a receipt as proof.

On 5 April 2025, amid debate about the cost, effectiveness and implementation of the inspections, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) proposed that they be "shelved for now, pending extensive consultation" with stakeholders. The Ministry of Energy suspended plans to charge for inspections pending further discussions. ZERA said the inspections remain a statutory obligation.

The October notice does not mention the 2025 fee.

What the inspections involve

Statutory electrical inspections form part of Zimbabwe's regulatory framework for checking electrical installations. The Electricity (Public Safety) Regulations, 2018 provide for periodic inspections of different categories of installations, including domestic, commercial and industrial premises.

Under the regulations, inspection intervals vary according to the type of installation. Domestic installations are generally subject to a maximum interval of 10 years, while industrial installations have a three-year interval.

ZERA said in April 2025: "We recognise the importance of these inspections in safeguarding against unnecessary electrical accidents." A joint ZERA and ZETDC statement in April 2025 reported 23 electrical accidents so far that year, seven of them fatal, many linked to faulty wiring.

When an installation fails an inspection, ZETDC issues a report listing the corrective action required and may require a re-inspection. ZERA said ZETDC can disconnect an installation with a life-threatening fault until it is made safe. A ZERA official said failure to undergo inspections can result in penalties, including disconnection from the national grid.

ZETDC uses a phased inspection approach and notifies residents in advance, according to ZERA statements reported in April 2025. The October notice names the areas for the whole month but gives no advance dates for individual streets or suburbs.