“Unexpected development on Zambia, Zimbabwe Interconnect caused blackout”

By Paul Shalala

Ministry of Energy Permanent Secretary PETER MUMBA has attributed the national power blackout experienced last night to an unexpected development on the Zambia-Zimbabwe interconnector.

During a press briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. MUMBA said both countries suffered the black out as a result of the development.

He disclosed that on the Copperbelt, miners at a Chinese mine in Kalulushi and Mindola Shaft in Kitwe were trapped but they were successfully rescued after alternative power was provided from the Copperbelt Energy Corporation and Ndola Energy.

And acting ZESCO Managing Director JUSTIN LOONGO said the Southern African Power Pool is investigating the source of the black out.

Mr. LOONGO further disclosed that Zesco is spending 48 million United States dollars per month in the importation of power from South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.

Meanwhile, Information and Media Permanent Secretary THABO KAWANA said no single life was lost in all health facilities countrywide during the national power outage.

Mr. KAWANA said at the University Teaching Hospitals in Lusaka, power was restored within 30 minutes of the outage.

And Assistant Director for Clinical Services in the Ministry of Health RICHARD NSAKANYA said standby generators and solar systems played a crucial role in restoring power in health centers.