ZESA bars Econet from e-vending system

MAY 21,2014.

ZIM MAIL.

National power utility ZESA Holdings is reportedly blocking Econet Wireless Zimbabwe (EWZ) from rolling out mobile electronic purchase of pre-paid electricity through its EcoCash - platform, Parliament was told yesterday. 

EWZ chief executive Douglas Mboweni told the portfolio committee on Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services chaired by Kuwadzana legislator Nelson Chamisa that Econet felt unwanted in local market because the electricity purchase business was being reserved for state linked enterprises. 

Econet Wireless says it has been at the receiving end of unfair treatment from authorities and "feels unwanted" in certain spaces, claiming this was stifling its growth, group chief executive Douglas Mboweni said.

The committee is chaired by Kuwadzana East Member of Parliament Nelson Chamisa. Mboweni said a lot of effort was spent on the "pull him down" syndrome aimed at Econet when, "ideally", the energy should have been expended on facilitating its growth. 

Mboweni said the playing field was not level. The Econet CEO implored policy makers to bring down "speed restrictions" for companies that needed to move fast in rolling out their programmes and grow the economy rather than being "punished" for investing.