Partial Blackout Was A System Fault, Not Related To Elections – ZESCO

ZESCO have announced that the partial blackout experienced over the weekend was the result of a system fault and had nothing to do with the upcoming elections.

Speaking in a radio interview, ZESCO’s corporate affairs manager Dr Kohn Kaunda reassured listeners that the corporation would ensure to provide power during and after the elections as it is mandated to do so.

“We are experiencing a number of faults on systems. For example, two weeks ago the transmission lines between Lusaka and Copperbelt, we do not know what happened but I think it was vandals who managed to unbolt the towers. Just at a slight wind, we lost the entire tower and power in the Northern part of the country.” Mr Kaunda said.

“You know ZESCO Limited is here to generate, transmit and distribute power. That is our mandate and our mandate is for public good,” he added.

Concerns about possible links between the power outage and the August 12 elections have arisen following multiple threats by the Patriotic Front government to turn off the internet during the election period. A reduction in civic space and freedom of speech within the country has also occurred as a result of a strong army presence on the streets.