ZETDC MD fired after SONA power outage

The Managing Director of the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), Abel Gurupira, has been dismissed with immediate effect following a dramatic power failure that plunged Parliament into darkness during President Emmerson Mnangagwa's State of the Nation Address.

The blackout occurred midway through the speech, forcing the president to continue under torchlight, an incident that drew widespread public embarrassment and criticism.

Sources within the Ministry of Energy confirmed that Energy Minister July Moyo personally ordered Gurupira's removal, instructing Group CEO Cletus Nyachowe to act without delay. An internal investigation has been launched to establish the cause of the outage, which has become a symbol of the broader failures of Zimbabwe's power infrastructure under the current administration.

The incident has sparked nationwide ridicule and frustration, with many Zimbabweans interpreting the blackout as a stark metaphor for leadership and governance failures. The timing - during a high-profile national event - has intensified scrutiny on the energy sector and raised questions about accountability at the highest levels.

No replacement for Gurupira has been announced yet, as the Ministry works to stabilize operations and restore public confidence in the country's electricity management.