Drivers in Bulawayo face dangerous roads after the power company shut off key traffic lights. The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company switched off the signals as part of their new prepayment rules. Motorists now navigate busy intersections without working lights. This creates serious safety risks throughout the city. The situation has lasted several days already.
The city council runs the traffic lights but must now buy electricity tokens to keep them working. ZETDC gave the council no advance warning about which lights would be shut off. Several major intersections lost their signals this week. These include the crossings at Nketa Drive and Luveve Road, plus Birkenhead and Plumtree Road. The Siyephambili and Nketa Drive intersection also went dark.
Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu explained the billing system to reporters. She said traffic lights count as electrical loads like any other powered equipment. The council learned about the conversion plan in 2024 but received no work schedule. Each intersection costs about ZWG3,000 monthly to operate. The council has registered the new prepaid meters and waits for ZETDC to send bills.
Similar problems hit Bulawayo last year when the power company switched off tower lights. Residents complained loudly about the sudden darkness in their neighborhoods. ZETDC claimed they gave proper notice while the council disagreed. The power utility started this national prepayment project back in 2012. They began with homes and small businesses before expanding to other customers.
The city council runs the traffic lights but must now buy electricity tokens to keep them working. ZETDC gave the council no advance warning about which lights would be shut off. Several major intersections lost their signals this week. These include the crossings at Nketa Drive and Luveve Road, plus Birkenhead and Plumtree Road. The Siyephambili and Nketa Drive intersection also went dark.
Council spokesperson Nesisa Mpofu explained the billing system to reporters. She said traffic lights count as electrical loads like any other powered equipment. The council learned about the conversion plan in 2024 but received no work schedule. Each intersection costs about ZWG3,000 monthly to operate. The council has registered the new prepaid meters and waits for ZETDC to send bills.
Similar problems hit Bulawayo last year when the power company switched off tower lights. Residents complained loudly about the sudden darkness in their neighborhoods. ZETDC claimed they gave proper notice while the council disagreed. The power utility started this national prepayment project back in 2012. They began with homes and small businesses before expanding to other customers.
