Panic as Zim, Zambia experience total blackout

TANAKA FETINANDI

Zimbabwe and Zambia on Sunday experienced total power outages at the same time leading to a blackout that plunged the two neighbouring countries into panic.

The blackout has been interpreted by sceptics as a sign of more danger looming as it came at a time the neighbouring nations are already faced with a power crisis that has affected business and ordinary people.

Load shedding in the two countries has been going on for over 21 hours a day in the last months.

The Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) described the blackout as a “system disturbance” that has since been addressed.

“We regret to advise our valued customers that the national grid experienced a system disturbance last night resulting in a system blackout,” the power utility said in a statement.

“Our Engineers reacted and began the restoration process. We are happy to advise that as of this morning most of the load centres have been picked countrywide,” the company added before apologising.

In Zambia, the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) Limited also issued a statement saying: “ZESCO Limited informs the nation that the country has experienced a power system disturbance on November 24, 2024 at 2015hrs leading to loss of power supply that affected the whole country.”

“The corporation is working diligently to resolve the unplanned outage and power supply restoration is underway. ZESCO will keep the country updated of this unforeseen development. We regret the unplanned loss of supply and seek our customers’ support and patience,” a statement from the company’s Acting Managing Director Justin Loongo reads in part.

 

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