Fired or Suspended? ZETDC Managing Director Abel Gurupira Allegedly Removed Over SONA Power Outage

Fired or Suspended? ZETDC Managing Director Abel Gurupira Allegedly Removed Over SONA Power Outage

Zimbabwe is abuzz with reports that Abel Gurupira, Managing Director of the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), has allegedly been removed from his position.

This comes after a major power outage hit the Parliament during President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) yesterday

The blackout, which plunged Parliament into darkness mid-speech, drew national attention and widespread ridicule on social media.

Also Read: Power Cut Off During President Mnangagwa’s SONA Speech: Here Is What We Know

Conflicting Reports: Fired or Suspended?

While some reports claim Gurupira has been fired with immediate effect, a letter allegedly issued by ZESA Group Chief Executive Engineer Nyachowe indicates he has been suspended pending investigation.

The alleged suspension letter reads:

“I am hereby suspending you from duty pending investigations, following a spate of power outages prior to commencement of the ZANU PF Conference in Mutare, and during the State of the Nation Address in Parliament on the 28th of October 2025. You will be on full pay and benefits pending the outcome of the investigations. During the period of suspension, you are not to communicate with ZESA Holdings Group staff.”

Nyachowe’s letter, dated 28 October, reportedly copied Energy Minister July Moyo and Mutapa Investment Fund CEO Dr John Mangudya, underlining the seriousness of the matter.

Minister of Energy Involved

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono reported on X that a source within Zimbabwe’s Energy Ministry confirmed Minister July Moyo personally instructed ZESA CEO Cletus Nyachowe to remove Gurupira. An internal investigation has reportedly been launched to examine the series of embarrassing power outages, including failures during the Zanu PF annual conference in Mutare earlier this month.

“The directive reportedly came shortly after the embarrassing power blackout in Parliament, which left President Emmerson Mnangagwa addressing the nation under torchlight, a moment that has become a metaphor for Zimbabwe’s collapse under his rule,” Chin’ono wrote.