- Residents decry exorbitant connection fees
- Accuse property developer of charging four times the legal fees
- Residents issued a five-day ultimatum over the charges
In Zimbabwe, residents of Fairview Park have accused the property developer of charging exorbitant connection fees to the residents in the new housing units. In addition, the developer is accused of claiming ownership of the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) electrical equipment within the area and subsequently charging four times the legal amount in connection fees.
Through their attorneys Alex Majachani of Alex F & Associates, the residents stated that “….demanding such a sum of money to get a ZESA connection is tantamount to corruption, usury and an attempt to reverse the government initiative to ensure that communities access basic amenities like electricity”.
A five-day ultimatum has been issued to the developer to ”….make a written undertaking to review the amount for ZESA connection to a reasonable figure not exceeding US$800 or allowing them to approach the power utility to have their houses connected” the letter read.
”Should your company not comply with this letter and our demand herein within a period of five days of this letter, we have strict instructions to approach the High Court for a declaratory order with any resultant costs borne by your company at the legal practitioner and client sale”, Majachani added.
The developer is accused of charging between US$2,600 to US$3,000 in connection fees.