‘Magetsi4SADC’: Outrage as Zimbabwe Government Demands Uninterrupted Power for SADC Venues Amid Nationwide Loadshedding

‘Magetsi4SADC’: Outrage as Zimbabwe Government Demands Uninterrupted Power for SADC Venues Amid Nationwide Loadshedding

In a controversial move, the Zimbabwean government has issued an order to the state-owned electricity provider, ZESA, to ensure uninterrupted power supply to select venues hosting the upcoming Southern African Development Community (SADC) Summit. At the same time, the rest of the country continues to experience severe load-shedding.

According to a leaked memorandum dated July 22, 2024, the Ministry of Energy’s Permanent Secretary, Gloria Magombo, has requested ZESA’s Executive Chairman, Sydney Gata, to prioritize electricity supply to the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC), the New Parliament Building in Mt Hampden, and the University of Zimbabwe’s Diamond Lecture Theatre during the SADC summit period.

“The ministry is, therefore, requesting ZESA through ZETDC (subsidiary Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company) to ensure uninterrupted power supply at the above-mentioned venues during the SADC summit period,” Magombo said.

This directive has sparked outrage among Zimbabweans, who have been enduring power outages ranging from 12 to 18 hours per day across the country. Many have taken to social media to voice their frustration, accusing the government of prioritizing optics over the pressing needs of its citizens. Here are some of the reactions:

@cmadziva1:

@SABCNews command electricity.Making sure visitors see a window dressed Zimbabwe.

@HouMuza:

Hanzi development isu tirikuitira vayenzi. Varakashi ngavatinyarewo so. They are the most unpatriotic group of Zimbabweans I have ever come across.

@buster_goldie:

So no elections issue here.uku kujairira vanhu people just need to take the streets until Zimbabwean issue is addressed

@TichaonaHarare:

If I was working ku ZETDC I would switch off those areas and loose my job. Nxa being employed and not being employed is the same in Zimbabwe

@RutendoZep61045:

We are having 18hrs of power outage every day

The post ‘Magetsi4SADC’: Outrage as Zimbabwe Government Demands Uninterrupted Power for SADC Venues Amid Nationwide Loadshedding appeared first on iHarare News.