KEY POINTS
- Power outage disrupted Zimbabwe’s Parliament during the 2025 national budget presentation.
- Frequent blackouts reflect severe energy infrastructure issues in Zimbabwe.
- Energy crisis exacerbates inflation, economic instability, and public frustration.
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa made an abrupt departure from Parliament on Thursday when a sudden power outage plunged the recently inaugurated New Parliament Building into darkness.
According to NewsDay, the blackout occurred shortly after Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube delivered the 2025 National Budget, disrupting a live broadcast and leaving lawmakers and attendees in confusion.
Zimbabwe faces escalating energy crisis amid blackouts
The incident underscores Zimbabwe’s escalating energy crisis, with the nation reeling from frequent and prolonged power cuts. Earlier in the week, millions of citizens endured hours without electricity following a nationwide blackout on Sunday, reflecting the fragility of the country’s power infrastructure.
Prolonged blackouts deepen economic strain
The Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) confirmed Thursday’s outage but did not disclose the cause, further fueling public frustration. Daily power cuts lasting up to 18 hours have become routine, driven by reduced output from key generation facilities. The Kariba South Hydro Power Station faces water shortages, while the Hwange Thermal Power Station struggles with maintenance and operational inefficiencies.
These energy challenges have exposed broader infrastructure deficits, raising questions about the government’s capacity to address critical shortcomings. As Zimbabwe grapples with soaring inflation and a weakening currency, the blackouts have compounded economic pressures, affecting businesses, schools, and hospitals nationwide.
The latest disruption in Parliament has drawn renewed criticism of the government’s handling of the energy sector, highlighting an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to stabilize power supply and mitigate the broader economic fallout.
