New energy minister Zhemu grows unpopular with the return of power cuts
Barely a week after President Emmerson Mnangagwa fired Fortune Chasi as Energy Minister and replaced him with the unheralded Soda Zhemu, power cuts seem to have made an unwelcome return.After months without experiencing any power cuts, many Zimbabweans got a rude awakening, when the powercuts returned. Most areas are currently experiencing power cuts and this has caused general disdain for the new minister whose popularity seems to be diminishing each day.
As usual, people took to social media to vent and to express their unhappiness at the new status quo.Although the power cuts are not as extensive as those experienced during last year’s massive load shedding, people are anxious that the current situation may be a warning of much worse to come.Unsurprisingly, some have linked the drastic change in the power situation with the firing of Fortune Chasi. The former minister was recently served with a notice relieving him of his duties for alleged misconduct.
Chasi who is affectionately known as ‘Chibabest’ is widely respected on social media by many from the political divide for the way he was open to interacting and discussing major issues.Whilst others are also calling for new Minister Soda Zhemu to be fired, blaming him for the return of power cuts. Others, have taken it a notch further and are accusing Chasi of conspiring to sabotage the power grid.
Electricity woes in the county seem to be far from over. Most people expressed disapointment at the new minister and said they have already lost faith in his abilities to deliver right at the onset of his appointment. Last year, the country experienced massive load shedding but that had become history. It seems Zhemu will have to pull up his socks if he is to gain prominence like the former minister. Some people also questioned why power cuts were taking place in light of the fact that Industry is not operating fully due to the lockdown thereby not consuming as much electricity as before.
