Yesterday we published a proposed load shedding schedule doing rounds on social media. ZESA issued a vehement denial claiming that this schedule was fake and not at all what they were planning. They, however, pointed out that water levels at Kariba were indeed low and load shedding in the near future was inevitable.
Well, despite all these denials there is irrefutable evidence that the power utility has begun load shedding. Several suburbs reported being plunged in darkness at various hours of the day yesterday. Right now as I am writing this there is no electricity in my house. Power went out at 5:30 am. We had no power from late afternoon until late evening.
The inescapable conclusion is that ZESA is now embarking on load shedding. The sad part is that it’s not clear whether they are adhering to the schedule we published yesterday or any schedule at all. In times past ZESA has been accused of blatant discrimination. Low-income neighbourhoods are subjected to incessant power cuts while “big fish” neighbourhoods get away scot-free.
A well-planned schedule would thus be preferable. It allows us to see whether everyone is being subjected to equal treatment. A schedule would also allow people to plan ahead and alleviate some of the negative effects of a power cut.
