In a swift U-turn, Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) Managing Director Engineer Abel Gurupira has been suspended on full pay, not fired, following the October power outage that interrupted President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). The internal memo, dated 28 October 2025, cites “pending investigations” into blackouts ahead of the ZANU PF Mutare conference and the SONA incident.

The move has fueled public skepticism. A viral video showed Mnangagwa calmly speaking by torchlight, with no visible security response sparking claims the outage was staged. Social media users echoed , “Was it stage-managed? ED’s team should’ve panicked if it was real.” Others questioned the targeting “Why blame the MD for a political event? Fire the Energy Minister, not him.”

Critics argue the suspension avoids addressing systemic failures. “Even if they fire him, power cuts won’t stop,” said one commentator. Others suspect a pretext to replace Gurupira , “They needed a fall guy.”

ZESA’s memo, signed by CEO Eng. C. Nyachowe, bars Gurupira from contacting staff. The Energy Ministry was copied in, but no public statement followed.

As investigations proceed, Zimbabweans doubt the narrative. “Political distraction, not a technical glitch,” many say.

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