‘Zimbabwe guarantees power for SADC elites, while leaving citizens in the dark’

HARARE – The Zimbabwean government has instructed the power utility, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply at select venues during the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) heads of state summit in Harare next month.

The directive comes at a time when the country continues to experience severe power cuts, with most households and industries facing up to 20 hours of load-shedding daily.

According to a memorandum from Permanent Secretary for Energy and Power Development Gloria Magombo to ZESA executive chairman, Sydney Gata, the government has identified specific events and venues that will require constant power supply during the summit period.

These include the Harare International Conference Centre, the New Parliament building in Mt Hampden, and the University of Zimbabwe.

Former Mt Pleasant MP Fadzayi Mahere has criticised the government’s decision, stating that it highlights the ruling elite’s focus on their own interests rather than addressing the country’s power crisis.

Mahere argued that the government has failed to develop a plan to resolve the power shortage, which has been ongoing for over a year.

“Zimbabwe has been reeling from rolling blackouts for over a year now. Most households and industries experience 20-hour load-shedding daily,” Mahere said in a post on X.

“The government has no plan to fix the power crisis, but they’re demanding special favours to mask their incompetence during the SADC Summit.

“As usual, they do not care at all about how the citizens have to cope with this lack of electricity on a daily basis. They only care about themselves.

“Ordinary people will experience even longer blackouts during the SADC period to accommodate incompetent elites. We need new leaders.”

Zimbabwe’s power deficit is attributed to reduced generation at Kariba Dam due to low water levels worsened by the El Nino induced drought. The electricity crisis is also worsened by frequent breakdowns at Hwange Thermal Power Station.

The SADC summit will take place on August 17, with Zimbabwe set to assume the rotating presidency of the regional body from Angola.

Preceding events include the 7th SADC Industrialisation week, senior officials and finance committee meetings, and a SADC council of ministers meeting.