Zimbabwe Parliament Faces Blackout During Budget Address

A sudden power cut not only disrupted the proceedings but also highlighted the country's struggle with energy shortages linked to drought conditions.

As Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube concluded his budget speech, Zimbabwe's parliament was unexpectedly plunged into darkness due to a power cut. The flickering lights quickly died, leaving notable officials such as President Emmerson Mnangagwa, Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, and various members of parliament in an unenviable position of conducting state business shrouded in darkness.

This incident serves as a stark representation of Zimbabwe's ongoing energy crisis, characterized by daily blackouts lasting up to 12 hours. The crisis primarily stems from a prolonged drought negatively impacting water levels at the Kariba Dam, a critical source of hydroelectric power for the nation.

As the lights extinguished, opposition members seized the moment, vocally asserting that the blackout symbolized the dire state of the country’s affairs. George Manyaya, a representative from the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), explained that the outage was unforeseen, stating that parliament typically enjoys a dedicated power supply exempt from cuts. He attributed the blackout to a lightning strike, clarifying it was not part of the scheduled outages.

Prior to the disruption, Minister Ncube provided a bleak forecast for the agricultural sector, projecting a contraction of 15% due to the devastating drought. However, he remained optimistic about the overall economy, projecting a potential growth rate of 6% for the upcoming year, contingent on expected above-average rainfall which, he noted, could also enhance the electric power supply.

These incidents and discussions surrounding Zimbabwe's power issues echo larger concerns as the nation grapples with infrastructural and economic challenges amidst a changing climate.