Zesa: Zimbabwe parliament hit by power cut during Mthuli Ncube's budget speech

In an incident that symbolizes the energy woes grappling Zimbabwe, a power outage struck the parliament while Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube presented the national budget. The abrupt disruption underscored the persistent challenges the nation faces with its power supply, particularly highlighted against the critical backdrop of laying out the government's financial plans. Zimbabwe's struggle with electricity supply has reached a significant crisis point, primarily attributed to a severe drought impacting the Kariba Dam, the country's principal hydroelectric power source. The dam's diminished capacity has resulted in widespread and routine power cuts across the nation, affecting homes, businesses, and now, symbolically, the very heart of its government during a crucial fiscal announcement. The power cut during the budget speech serves as a stark reminder of the energy challenges confronting the Zimbabwean government and its population. Efforts to remedy the situation have been complicated by the reliance on hydroelectric power, which, in the face of climatic changes and drought conditions, poses a vulnerability for the country's energy supply. This recent event in parliament is not just a moment of inconvenience but a poignant indication of the broader energy crisis that Zimbabwe is grappling with. The government's ability to address these challenges will be closely watched, as the nation seeks sustainable solutions to ensure steady and reliable power for its citizens and avert further interruptions in the functioning of its critical institutions.