Political Correspondent in Parliament
Harare, Zimbabwe – President Emmerson Mnangagwa was compelled to leave Parliament abruptly after a sudden power outage plunged the New Parliament Building into darkness, just moments after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube concluded his presentation of the 2025 National Budget.
The unexpected blackout occurred as Ncube wrapped up the government’s financial plans for the upcoming fiscal year, disrupting proceedings and cutting off the live broadcast feed.
Witnesses reported that the lights flickered before going out entirely, leaving top officials, including Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, in the dark.
“This is a clear indication of the ongoing power crisis we are facing as a nation,” said one Member of Parliament, who wished to remain anonymous.
“It’s frustrating that such incidents continue to disrupt our important discussions.”
Zimbabwe has been grappling with persistent power cuts, with millions left without electricity following a nationwide blackout earlier this week. The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa) acknowledged the outage but did not disclose the cause of the power failure.
“We are working to resolve the issues as quickly as possible,” a Zesa spokesperson stated.
The country has been experiencing prolonged daily power cuts, lasting up to 18 hours, primarily due to reduced energy output from its main power generation sources, including the Kariba South Hydro Power Station and Hwange Thermal Power Station.
“This situation is unsustainable, and it affects every aspect of our lives,” lamented another MP.
As the Parliament session was disrupted, Mnangagwa’s abrupt exit highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the government in addressing the energy crisis.
“We need to find solutions to these power issues urgently,” Mnangagwa remarked before leaving the chamber.
The incident has sparked discussions among lawmakers and citizens alike about the need for immediate action to improve the country’s energy infrastructure and ensure reliable power supply for all.
Zim GBC News©2024