Zimbabwe’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) ended on an awkward note on Tuesday after a power cut plunged Parliament into darkness just as President Emmerson Mnangagwa was wrapping up his speech.
Lights out at Zimbabwe’s SONA
There is a debate on whether there was a deliberate act by individuals to disturb the Zimbabwe’s SONA or it was a natural cause.
Many Zanu PF loyalists took to social media to vent their frustrations about the development.
“This is pure, unadulterated sabotage,’ posted @CMukungunugwa.
“Cutting the power during the Head of State’s address is a deliberate act to undermine the nation. That this is the second time it has happened is an absolute disgrace. The culprit must be identified and held fully accountable for this intolerable act.”
President Mnangagwa leaves Zimbabwe’s SONA ‘annoyed’
Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda apologised to the President moments after the lights went out, saying they would ‘chase the culprit.’
Mnangagwa had already left the building by then, reportedly looking visibly annoyed, according to ZimLive.
Eyewitnesses said an aide had tried to persuade the President to stop delivering his SONA’s closing lines of his address when the power failed, but Mnangagwa insisted on finishing under torchlight.
Zimbabwe’s power cuts during big events
The incident at Zimbabwe’s SONA is not the first time such has occurred. During the national budget presentation in November last year, which Mnangagwa also attended, a similar blackout disrupted proceedings.
At the time, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) attributed the outage to ‘an act of nature,’ while Parliament said thunderstorms and high winds had caused a trip at a 132kv feeder line supplying power to Mt Hampden.
The latest outage comes as Zimbabwe continues to battle widespread power shortages that have affected homes, businesses, and public institutions.
