In a cruel twist of irony, the government responsible for Zimbabwe’s electricity provision is once again hiding behind the excuse of low water levels in Lake Kariba, a dam ironically built by the very settlers they claim to oppose. This familiar refrain comes barely after the 2022-2023 rainy season, making their justification seem even more far-fetched. This deflection, however, masks a tragic reality: the rural electorate, many living in humble homes of dagga and pole, remain largely unaware of the industrial havoc caused by these power cuts—an industry upon which they indirectly rely.
The truth is simple and brutal: the ongoing electricity crisis impacts everyone, regardless of whether they live in an electrified or non-electrified house. The root cause is the ZANU PF government—a tyrannical, authoritarian, and illegitimate regime. This parasitic and cancerous entity specializes in the unapologetic violation, mutilation, and debasement of the country’s supreme law. It has shown an appalling negligence towards the welfare of the people, who are now suffering in abject poverty, worsened by the deprivation of prompt, affordable, and reliable services.
Consider this scenario: you are a peasant family with no electricity at home. Your son has a young, pregnant wife. You all depend on food aid distributed along partisan lines by the same illegitimate and plundering ZANU PF regime. One night, your daughter-in-law goes into preterm labor. The baby is born prematurely and requires an incubator to survive. But there is no electricity to power the incubator. The baby dies. This heart-wrenching story is a stark reminder of how everyone depends on electricity for critical needs, yet the ZANU PF regime ensures there is none.
This despotic government has stripped away the rights of the people, rights enshrined in the mutilated, violated, and debased constitution. The people’s right to choose a government that represents and secures their interests, rights, and freedoms is trampled upon by a compromised and partisan electoral commission. This commission, militarized and sympathetic to ZANU PF’s failing aspirations of a one-party state, ensures that the people’s voices are silenced.
If ZANU PF continues its rigging practices, Zimbabwe may as well prepare for a return to the dark ages. The nation’s future hangs in the balance, threatened by a government more interested in retaining power than in the well-being of its citizens. The electricity crisis is but one symptom of a deeper malaise—a corrupt regime that prioritizes its survival over the country’s progress.
The dire situation requires urgent action. Zimbabweans must demand accountability and transparency from their leaders. They must resist the normalization of incompetence and corruption. The international community should also take a stand, supporting efforts to restore democracy and human rights in Zimbabwe.
The country’s potential is immense. Zimbabweans deserve a government that harnesses this potential, providing reliable electricity, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring the welfare of all its citizens. The return of the dark ages is not inevitable. With collective effort and unwavering resolve, the people can reclaim their power, both literally and metaphorically.
In conclusion, the electricity crisis in Zimbabwe is not merely a technical issue but a reflection of a deeper, systemic problem. It is a call to action for all Zimbabweans and the international community. The time to act is now, before the lights go out for good. The dark ages must not return.