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Mnangagwa abruptly exited Parliament after a sudden power outage
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President Emmerson Mnangagwa abruptly exited the New Parliament Building on Thursday after a sudden power outage plunged the chambers into darkness, moments after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube concluded presenting the 2025 National Budget.
The blackout disrupted proceedings, cutting off the live broadcast feed and leaving Members of Parliament and spectators in shock. The incident underscored Zimbabwe's ongoing electricity challenges, which have caused widespread frustration among citizens and industries.
Persistent Energy Crisis
The country has been grappling with severe power cuts, with households and businesses enduring up to 18-hour daily blackouts. Earlier this week, a nationwide power outage on Sunday left millions without electricity.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) acknowledged the blackout in a statement but did not provide specific details on its cause.
The load-shedding crisis is primarily due to diminished energy production at Kariba South Hydro Power Station and Hwange Thermal Power Station, Zimbabwe's main sources of electricity.
Public Reaction
The power outage at the New Parliament Building, a symbol of national pride constructed with Chinese assistance, drew criticism from the public and political observers. Many saw the incident as emblematic of the government's struggle to resolve the country's energy woes despite numerous promises and initiatives.
"Imagine power going out in Parliament during the presentation of the national budget. It's a reflection of the lived reality of millions of Zimbabweans," commented one social media user.
Economic Implications
The prolonged energy crisis has hampered economic growth, disrupting industrial operations and increasing costs for businesses reliant on alternative power sources such as generators and solar energy.
Minister Ncube's 2025 budget presentation highlighted plans to address key economic challenges, but the blackout underscored the urgent need for tangible solutions to Zimbabwe's electricity shortfall.
As the government seeks to stabilize the power supply, citizens continue to bear the brunt of an unreliable grid that affects daily life and economic productivity.
The blackout disrupted proceedings, cutting off the live broadcast feed and leaving Members of Parliament and spectators in shock. The incident underscored Zimbabwe's ongoing electricity challenges, which have caused widespread frustration among citizens and industries.
Persistent Energy Crisis
The country has been grappling with severe power cuts, with households and businesses enduring up to 18-hour daily blackouts. Earlier this week, a nationwide power outage on Sunday left millions without electricity.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) acknowledged the blackout in a statement but did not provide specific details on its cause.
The load-shedding crisis is primarily due to diminished energy production at Kariba South Hydro Power Station and Hwange Thermal Power Station, Zimbabwe's main sources of electricity.
Public Reaction
The power outage at the New Parliament Building, a symbol of national pride constructed with Chinese assistance, drew criticism from the public and political observers. Many saw the incident as emblematic of the government's struggle to resolve the country's energy woes despite numerous promises and initiatives.
"Imagine power going out in Parliament during the presentation of the national budget. It's a reflection of the lived reality of millions of Zimbabweans," commented one social media user.
Economic Implications
The prolonged energy crisis has hampered economic growth, disrupting industrial operations and increasing costs for businesses reliant on alternative power sources such as generators and solar energy.
Minister Ncube's 2025 budget presentation highlighted plans to address key economic challenges, but the blackout underscored the urgent need for tangible solutions to Zimbabwe's electricity shortfall.
As the government seeks to stabilize the power supply, citizens continue to bear the brunt of an unreliable grid that affects daily life and economic productivity.
Source - the standard
