via My minister is not a generator, Mugabe – New Zimbabwe 01/10/2015
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has defended under fire Energy Minister Samuel Undenge at a time when the power situation in the country continues to worsen.
Mugabe arrived in the country late Thursday after attending the United Nations General Assembly meeting in the US.
“It is not proper to blame one minister and in this case Dr Samuel Undenge is not to blame for the electricity shortage that is ravaging the country,” Mugabe told a group of party
supporters at the Harare International Airport.
“We are aware of the low levels of water at Kariba and this is the cause of the blackouts.
“We have alternative sources of energy and these must be looked at in order to alleviate the suffering.
“We are not alone other countries that depend on Kariba are also affected.”
It was the first time Mugabe has addressed party supporters at the Harare International Airport following his embarrassing tumble in January this year after another impromptu speech to celebrate his assumption of the African Union chairmanship.
Mugabe said Zimbabweans must simply bear the power crisis until projects he claimed his government is implementing to address the problem are completed.
“We could have done some of these things long back but we have shortage of resources as a country,” said the veteran leader.
Zimbabwe’s economic problems have been compounded by a power crisis over the past decade and half with industry players complaining that the cost of doing business has gone up since they have resorted to the use of expensive fuels for production.
Most power infrastructure in Zimbabwe is over half a century old having been put up by the Rhodesian government before independence 35 years ago.
Undenge has been conspicuous by his silence on the issue with no solution in sight to the crisis for a government that has little in the form of cash for capital projects.
Zimbabwe requires more than 2,000 megawatts of electricity a day against a generation capacity of 900 megawatts.
Government has also indicated that it will soon ban electrical geysers as a way of ameliorating the power problems.
COMMENTS
Uncle Robert smart mouth Mugabe is to blame for being unable to run this country these last 35 years. The electricity problem is but one aspect of his inability. Low levels of water in Kariba are nothing to do with the lack of electricity. Bad management and absolute lack of forethought are the causes. Robert that means you are the man to blame. Resign now we do not want you.
FYI Bob this is Technology that is 1000 years ahead of your indigenous comrades, let’s see a bicycle made in Zimbabwe Ruins.
Firewood is the way to go, chop down all the trees just like before the humans whom you so hatefully despise came. Yes the same place Grace loves to shop yes shopping, shopping with US$s ducking and diving as you go.
Yes the same stately Rolls Royce built by these terrible creatures
Double standards to the max.
Your intense hatred is the sole cause of the current situation.
Get over it time is running out.
He is an incinerator!