The government of Zimbabwe has just announced a suspension of duty for transformers and other equipment imported by ZESA and its subsidiaries in a bid to make it easier for the embattled power utility to bring in essential equipment.

According to ZESA’s Fullard Gwasira ZESA loses an average of four transformers every night plunging entire neighbourhoods into darkness on top of the load-shedding. Those who live in neighbourhoods that lose a transformer know the ordeal. It usually takes months for the transformer to be replaced due to foreign currency shortages.

The scrapping of duty will hopefully shorten the lead time for replacements. The suspension will last for 2 years and applies to equipment imported by ZESA from the period of 1 July 2019 which means it will expire on the same day in 2021.