Zimbabwe parliament plunged into darkness during budget speech
- Zimbabwe is facing daily 12-hour power outages due to a drought affecting the Kariba Dam.
- During a budget speech by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, the parliament experienced an unplanned power cut caused by a lightning strike.
- The incident highlights the ongoing energy crisis in Zimbabwe and the challenges faced by the agricultural sector.
Zimbabwe has been experiencing severe power shortages, with the country enduring daily outages lasting up to 12 hours. This situation has been exacerbated by a prolonged drought that has significantly impacted energy generation at the Kariba Dam, which is the primary power source for the country. Recently, during a critical budget speech delivered by Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube, the parliament was unexpectedly plunged into darkness as the lights went out, leaving high-ranking officials, including President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga, in complete darkness. The unexpected blackout is indicative of the broader energy crisis facing Zimbabwe. According to George Manyaya, a spokesperson from the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (Zesa), the blackout was not planned and occurred due to a lightning strike, despite parliament having a dedicated electricity supply meant to remain operational during power cuts. The abrupt power outage happened while Finance Minister Ncube concluded his remarks about the economic challenges posed by the drought. He indicated that the agricultural sector is projected to contract by 15% this year as a direct consequence of the ongoing drought conditions. Ncube also highlighted that, despite the current struggles, the government anticipates an economic growth of 6% in the forthcoming year, based on forecasts of above-average rainfall that could improve agriculture and electricity supply. This projection aims to instill some optimism amidst the dire circumstances, suggesting that recovery could be on the horizon if the rainfall improves. Opposition members of parliament voiced their frustrations during the outage, asserting that the incident serves as a metaphor for the broader issues afflicting the nation. The blackout, coinciding with discussions about the fiscal future of the country, illustrated the immediacy of the problems arising from energy shortages and the need for systemic reform to address these ongoing crises.