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He had been disconnected for non-payment.

He owes the power utility about $9 924.

Steven Osuyu (38), of 9 Ullswater Road, Morningside, is being accused of violating Section 60 of the Electricity Amendment Act, which prohibits interference with any electricity transmission apparatus.

His grocery shop, Number 4 R and R Investments, along Lobengula Street, was disconnected on 26 June for outstanding bills.

Osuyu allegedly reconnected the power to his shop without the approval of Zesa.

He was arraigned before Bulawayo magistrate Ms Charity Maphosa yesterday.

The court remanded Osuyu on $300 bail to today for trial.

Osuyu was instructed to report once a week at the Bulawayo Central Police Station, to surrender travel documents, reside at his given address and not to interfere with witnesses as his bail conditions.

The State, represented by Mr Shepherd Nhamburo, would want to prove that after Zesa workers removed a circuit breaker at Osuyu’s shop to disconnect power on 26 June, he  bought a new circuit breaker and installed it.

He then allegedly reconnected power without the knowledge of the power utility.

The court heard that on 19 July, Zesa workers  were carrying out routine checks on disconnected electricity users when they discovered that Osuyu had illegally reconnected power to his premises.

A report was made to the police leading to his arrest.