A video of Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema boasting last month that his government had ended power outages is being widely shared on WhatsApp, just two days after the country’s power utility firm announced indefinite power outages lasting up to 12 hours per day.
“Is there anyone here who’s been load shedded? Put up your hand,” he said in December, before adding, “it’s because of the work we are doing behind the scenes”.
Three weeks ago, the President confidently asked; is there somebody who’s been load shedded here? I watched with interest, but no one responded. Today’s reality? Not even sure if load-shedding is the cause 90% of traffic lights are not working in the city. pic.twitter.com/kV9owz2sdJ
— Augustine Mukoka (@Mukoka) January 6, 2023
Zambia’s power utility, Zesco, blamed the drop in electricity supply on low water levels in the Kariba dam, on which the country depends for hydropower.
It also stated that routine maintenance on a coal plant that feeds into the power grid was contributing to the problem.
Mr. Hichilema has changed his tune in response to public outrage.
In a statement issued on Thursday, he stated that he was aware of how the power outage was affecting homes and businesses and that his administration was “doing everything” to find immediate and long-term solutions.
“We have said it before, and we will say it again: we will spend the majority of this year removing domestic impediments to economic growth,” Mr. Hichilema said. His government has also stated that it will reduce power exports.
However, Zambians on social media have continued to express their unhappiness:
It's so irresponsible for State House to issue such a statement. Not long ago the President said loadsheding was a thing of the past becoz his admin has ended it. Y now shifting the blame to the PF Govt? Let's work and address this issue once and for all! No blame games!!! pic.twitter.com/UdQkh03yVx
— Archie Mulunda (@MulundaArchie) January 6, 2023
History has taught us that people who over-promise will either under-deliver or find someone else to blame. Lies have short legs.
— B'Flow (@bflowmusic) January 6, 2023
