The Parliament of Zimbabwe has issued an apology to President Emmerson Mnangagwa following a power outage on Thursday after the 2025 National Budget presentation at the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden.
The outage quickly became the subject of jokes and ridicule on social media, with many attributing it to the ongoing load shedding that has left businesses and households without electricity for over 18 hours daily.
Some social media users took delight in the fact that the power failure had affected the country’s leadership.
However, Parliament clarified in a statement that the power disruption was caused by thunderstorms and high winds, which affected overhead lines.
This led to tripping at a 132kV feeder that supplies power to a substation, which in turn powers the Mt Hampden area.
After consulting with onsite personnel and the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), Parliament confirmed that this was the cause of the power loss to the New Parliament Building and nearby areas at 15:25.
The backup generator at the building was also impacted by the power surge, causing it to lose its memory settings and fail to switch on automatically.
However, power was restored within five minutes after the generator was manually reset.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The Parliament of Zimbabwe said sorry to the President for a power cut during a budget talk. People on social media made fun of it. The power cut happened because of a storm and strong winds. The power came back on after a few minutes.

Parliament Apologises For Power Outage During Budget Presentation

Parliament was plunged into darkness on Thursday as Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube was concluding his 2025 national budget speech, following an unexpected power outage.
As the lights went out, President Emmerson Mnangagwa was escorted out of the darkened chamber while Parliament’s backup generators took some time to kick in and restore power.
In an interview with <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/parliament-blackout-caused-by-lightning-during-afternoon-storm-zesa/">ZimLive</a>, ZESA spokesperson George Manyaya dismissed claims that the blackout was caused by load shedding, attributing the power failure instead to lightning.
Manyaya said that Parliament is on a dedicated power line exempt from load shedding. He said:
<blockquote>
There was a storm in the parliament area and unfortunately lightning caused a temporary loss of power during the budget presentation.
It’s an act of nature and definitely not load shedding as is being suggested on social media.
</blockquote>
Zimbabweans are facing prolonged power cuts, with outages lasting up to 18 hours a day, as the country’s power utility, ZESA, struggles to meet the growing electricity demand.
The power shortages are being exacerbated by a combination of factors, including low water levels at the Kariba Dam, which have significantly reduced hydroelectric power generation.
As a result, ZESA has been forced to cut down on its output from Kariba, one of the country’s primary power sources.
Compounding the situation, Zimbabwe’s ageing thermal power stations, particularly the Hwange Power Station, have become increasingly unreliable due to outdated infrastructure and maintenance challenges.
According to data from ZESA’s subsidiary, the Zimbabwe Power Company, the country was generating only 1,083 MW of electricity on Wednesday, far below the national demand of approximately 2,000 MW.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA says lightning caused blackout in Parliament during budget speech. It was not load shedding. Zimbabwe is facing long power outages due to low water levels at Kariba Dam and unreliable thermal power stations. Country is not generating enough electricity to meet demand. ZESA struggling to provide power to everyone. President Mnangagwa had to be escorted out of dark chamber during blackout. Lightning caused temporary loss of power, not intentional cut. Situation worsened by old power stations not working properly. Country generating less electricity than needed.

ZESA Blames Lightning For Parliament Blackout

A 30-minute nationwide power outage in Zambia over the weekend was due to a technical fault in the interconnected power networks between it and Zimbabwe, a senior government official has said.
Addressing the media in the capital Lusaka on Monday, Peter Mumba, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Energy, said state power utility ZESCO Limited worked diligently to resolve the outage, which occurred Sunday evening. He said (via <a href="https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/zambia-says-power-outage-caused-by-fault-in-interconnected-network-with-zimbabwe/3404401">AA</a>):
<blockquote>
During the power outage, there were two mines that had people trapped underground. These mines included a Chinese mine in Chambishi and Mopani Mine at Mindolo shaft. The people who were trapped were all safely rescued as the mines were supplied with an alternative power supply.
</blockquote>
Thabo Kawana, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Media, said that no loss of life occurred in hospitals due to the power outage.
Kawana said that key institutions, including the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia’s largest referral health facility, had power restored within 30 minutes and are equipped with backup power sources.
ZESCO Acting Managing Director Justin Loongo said the Southern African Power Pool is investigating the source of the outage.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Over the weekend, Zambia had a 30-minute power outage because of a problem with the power networks connected to Zimbabwe. ZESCO Limited worked to fix the issue. Some people were trapped in mines during the outage but were safely rescued. No one in the hospitals died because of the power cut. Important places like the University Teaching Hospital got power back quickly with backup sources. The Southern African Power Pool is looking into what caused the problem. All is back to normal now.

"Power Outage In Zimbabwe And Zambia Due To Technical Fault In Interconnected Networks"

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has accused his successor, Hakainde Hichilema, of being responsible for the power blackout that struck the country on Sunday, leaving critical institutions like hospitals without electricity.
The power outages affected both Zambia and Zimbabwe, which are currently facing an ongoing power crisis, largely due to declining water levels at Lake Kariba.
Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO Limited, confirmed that the system disturbance occurred shortly after 8 PM on Sunday.
In a<a href="https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/11/26/former-president-edgar-lungu-blames-president-hichilema-for-power-outage-experienced-in-zambia-and-zimbabwe/"> statement</a>, Lungu alleged that the blackout was caused by undue interference by Hichilema’s government in ZESCO’s operations. Said Lungu:
<blockquote>
The national power blackout we experienced last night is an ultimate manifestation and clear confirmation of how ZESCO, our national utility company, has been driven into complete ruins by the New Doom government.
This once vibrant national power utility is now a shell of itself because the top managers and various competent officers were purged, after the 2021 general elections, on politcal and other grounds I will not name because Mr Hakainde Hichilema will consider them as sedition or hate speech.
Now we are paying, as a country, a bitter price for that unwarranted victimisation of competent and professional officers who knew better how to manage that sensitive national asset.
</blockquote>
Lungu suggested that the power blackouts may have contributed to the deaths of patients in hospitals who relied on life-saving equipment powered by electricity. He said:
<blockquote>
During our time in government as PF, the longest load shedding period did not exceed 17 hours. It is this period Mr Hichilema described as unbearable and campaigned to end once voted into office.
Today, under Mr Hichilema’s watch, most households and businesses are going for more than 48 straight hours and even more in some cases without power supply…
Surely, Zambians cannot continue to subject themselves to a leadership that sees no problem in having delicate facilities such as hospitals and others that directly touch on the wellbeing of our citizens being load-shedded.
At what cost in terms of lost lives and businesses will this government take such matters seriously and act to ensure that the lives and businesses are protected?
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu is blaming current President Hakainde Hichilema for the recent power blackout in Zambia. The blackout affected critical places like hospitals. The power crisis is because of low water levels at Lake Kariba. Lungu thinks Hichilema's government interfered with the power company, ZESCO, causing the blackout. Lungu says under his leadership, power outages were not as bad as they are now. He worries about people dying because hospitals are without electricity. Lungu wants Hichilema's government to take action and protect citizens' lives and businesses from power shortages.

Lungu Blames Hichilema For Zambia's Recent Electricity Blackout

A power surge on Sunday night caused widespread blackouts in both Zimbabwe and Zambia, plunging the two southern African countries into darkness.
Both nations are already grappling with an ongoing power crisis, largely due to the declining water levels at Lake Kariba, which is a key source of hydroelectric power for both countries.
Zambia’s power utility, ZESCO Limited, confirmed that the system disturbance occurred just after 8 PM on Sunday. Said ZESCO acting managing director Justin Loongo:
<blockquote>
ZESCO Limited informs the nation that the country has experienced a power system disturbance today, 24 November 2024 at 20:15 hours leading to loss of power supply that has affected the whole country.
The Corporation is working diligently to resolve the unplanned outage and power supply restoration is underway.
ZESCO will keep the country updated of this unforeseen development.
We regret the unplanned loss of supply and seek our customers’ support and patience.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe’s power utility, ZESA Holdings, also confirmed last night’s “system disturbance” which left the country in darkness. It said:
<blockquote>
We regret to advise our valued customers that the national grid experienced a system disturbance last night resulting in a system blackout. Our engineers reacted and began the restoration process.
We are happy to advise that as of this morning, most of the load centres have been picked countrywide. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zambia and Zimbabwe had a blackout on Sunday due to too much power. They already have less power because the water levels are low in the lake that makes electricity. Zambia said sorry for the problem and is fixing it. Zimbabwe is also trying to fix the blackout. They hope to have power back soon. Both countries are working hard to solve the issue. Everyone is upset but they are doing their best to bring back electricity.

Zambia Faces Electricity Blackout Due To "System Disturbance"

Zimbabwe experienced a nationwide electricity blackout on Sunday night into Monday morning, prompting widespread frustration on social media.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) confirmed the outage in a statement issued on Monday, attributing it to a disturbance in the national grid that led to a system-wide blackout. Reads the statement:
<blockquote>
We regret to advise our valued customers that the national grid experienced a system disturbance last night resulting in a system blackout.
Our Engineers reacted and began the restoration process. We are happy to advise that as of this morning most of the load centres have been picked countrywide.
</blockquote>
The blackout further exacerbated the frustration of Zimbabweans already enduring frequent power shortages, with some major urban areas, like Chitungwiza, experiencing up to 20 hours of daily power cuts.
In other parts of the country, people are enduring outages lasting up to a week, often without any explanation from the power utility.
Despite having the installed capacity at its power stations, ZESA is struggling to generate enough electricity to meet demand.
Hwange Power Station is currently producing around 1,000 MW, while Kariba Power Station, typically the most reliable, is operating at just a tenth of its installed capacity due to falling water levels at Kariba Dam.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe had a big power cut making everything dark. The power company said there was a problem with the national grid. They are now fixing it. People in cities like Chitungwiza already had lots of power cuts, some lasting a week. The power stations are not making enough electricity. Hwange Power Station is only making 1,000 MW, and Kariba Power Station is only making a little bit because the water level is low. People are frustrated and want more power.

ZESA "System Disturbance" Plunges Zimbabwe Into Darkness

A power outage that has lasted for three consecutive days within Gweru’s Central Business District (CBD) has negatively affected businesses.
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) on Saturday said the power outage was caused by a cable fault and was being attended to.
Banks and some retail shops have resorted to using generators, while Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the tailoring industry, have lost significant business as they could not fulfill orders for uniforms, with schools opening this week.
The power outage has also affected internet services and voice calls, making it challenging for residents to purchase electricity coupons and conduct mobile money transactions.
According to a notice by ZETDC, the affected areas are as follows:
<blockquote>
Main Street, Robert Mugabe Avenue, 8th Street, Jason Moyo Avenue, Bahadur Centre, First Mutual Building, Old Zesa District Offices, Magistrate Courts, ZRP Central Office, Bensam Flats, Nice Time, DCK, Chitukuko, Zuva Garage, Old Mutual Building, Nandos, Teachers Furnitures, Econet Wireless, Moonlight Building, Shopwell Building, Glow Petroleum, NSSA, Educare, Legion Bar, 5 th, 6 th, 7th, ZBC, Police Main Camp, Gweru East – Princess, Simpson Road, Strand Road, Kent Crescent, Kopje Road and the surrounding areas.
</blockquote>
The power outage comes at a time when the electricity situation in the country has vastly improved compared to the first quarter of 2023.
The Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC) on Friday said it was generating a total of 1 555 MW from two power stations, that is, Hwange Power Station (665 MW) and Kariba Power Station (890 MW), which is nearly enough to meet the country’s power needs.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

ZESA Cable Fault Plunges Gweru CBD Into Darkness

About a dozen suburbs in Bulawayo have gone for more than 20 hours without electricity following a technical fault on the ZESA grid.
The suburbs include Queens Park, Glenville, Cowdray Park, Richmond Trenance, Luveve, Matshobana, Mzilikazi, Gwabalanda, Njube, Entumbane, and Nkulumane.
Most of the suburbs experienced a power blackout around 2 PM on Monday and electricity had not been restored by mid-morning on Tuesday.
In a statement, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) said it was working to rectify the problem. It said:
<blockquote>
The ZEDTC would like to apologise to its valued customers in Western Region for power outages due to a fault on the network.
… Our teams are working round the clock to ensure full restoration of service.
</blockquote>

Technical Fault On ZESA Grid Causes Power Outage In Bulawayo

ZESA Holdings’ power distribution subsidiary, ZETDC, says the strong winds currently prevailing in some parts of the country are to blame for power cuts as they are affecting electricity transmission infrastructure.
In a public notice issued on Sunday afternoon, ZESA said it was sorry for the increased power outages and pledged to restore power in affected areas in the shortest period possible. It said:
<blockquote>
The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) would like to apologize to its valued customers nationwide for increased power outages.
This is due to increased windy conditions affecting some parts of the country leading to increased incidences of faults.
Our teams are working round the clock to ensure full restoration of service.
</blockquote>

Parliament Latest News

Latest Jobs