The Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (Zesco) in Lusaka has arrested a man for swindling customers through illegal power connections.
Fonda Musamba, 39, of Lusaka’s Kaunda Square compound, is alleged to have been purporting to be an inspector from Zesco. Musamba, who was using a pseudo name of John Phiri, was arrested in Chelstone area today after some affected customers reported him to Zesco
police.
ZESCO Inspectorate Coordinator, for Lusaka Division, Patrick Simwinga confirmed the arrest of Mr. Musamba in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today.
Mr. Simwinga said the suspect, who has been on the ZESCO’s list of most wanted people, is alleged to have swindled unsuspecting Zesco customers of huge amounts of money by illegally helping them to connect electricity to
their houses.
He said the suspect has since been charged with two counts of impersonating a ZESCO officer and obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to section 102 and 309 chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia.
Mr. Simwinga has since cautioned customers to be wary of such people to avoid paying money to individuals.
Meanwhile one of the victims, George Chongolo, who reported the matter to police, narrated how he was swindled by Musamba.
ZANIS
I bet you this could be a disgruntled ex-ZESCO employee and has inside knowledge of how to plug power into people’s homes… elyo, how long has this been going on? How come ZESCO didn’t know about this, don’t they have the monopoly? There must surely be more to this story… On another point, I would like to suggest that the power company look into safety issues regarding usage of their vehicles … allowing employees to ride in the back of a van is quite reckless…
useless quack..arrest him…
But Fonda tomfwa! Akapya namalaiti.
Fonda has been electrocuted by his own bad habits. There is no short-cut in life. You have to work hard and be contented with what you legally gain. Don’t steal from innoncent souls and think that you will get away with it. No No No…. Fonda go behind bars until you repent!
is it just me all what? When did Zesco start arresting people?
ZESCO must have a time frame when the customers can expect to be connected ,they just take too long to connect electricity even after paying the full amount hence crooks like FONDA have taken advantage of the situation and am sure he was working hand in hand with some ZESCO employees.This is the same with LUSAKA WATER AND SEWAGE COMPANY they are even worse than ZESCO.
It seems other than supplying power, Zesco is also performing law enforcement duties. Arrest and charge :o:o:o:o
Ya ya ya nimwishiba umu guys too bad ! Aliba bwino takwata akaso ubwalwa alashita.Um kanshi ilya alopwele “black table” pa vegas shama connections.Anyway alinsendapo kuma dizzy teti ndande sana.:-?
I know that guy, I used to work with him 7 years ago.
This shows how incomptent Zesco is how can a single man go to such extent of connecting so many houses to their supply system over a long period of time. Were pipo whose houses had illegal connections going to be charged as well? How about bills, how was it being handled? If they have bin on prepaid system then how come Zesco was getting paid. Its a big syndicate not only to be apportioned in Musamba Aka John Phiri. Zesco is full of rotten eggs.
I totally agree with #6, ZESCO takes long to connect (12 weeks min after paying), hence leaving a room for corruption. Sometimes, even after paying and waiting for 12 weeks, you have to bribe someone at ZESCO for your connection to be done. Its also a reason to them, that they are other organisation/people who can do the connections faster, then why not engage (legally) 6 or so reputable power companies to do for them (Sub-contract). And only make money from monthly charges
Credit for ZESCO, The new system of meter box charge ( units ) is working perfectly. All those people who are doing the welding and tyre repair are in trouble because, they consume more power then the others; but in the past they used to pay the same amount with the ordinary house consumer every month. Now at least justice has been done with the installation of the Unit meters. Now ZESCO use the money we are giving you to sustain the mentainance. See K’ millian .