Electricity shortages in Zimbabwe are set to worsen with power suppliers in the region further restricting supplies due to the state power authority's failure to pay arrears.
Officials at the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority said the state entity owes US$42 million to various suppliers. Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa has cut back electricity flows to Zimbabwe to 100 megawatts from 300 megawatts, while the Democratic Republic of Congo's national utility has cut transmissions to 50 megawatts from 150 megawatts.
Zimbabwe's inability to produce sufficient electricity has forced it to import 35% of the national requirement of 650 megawatts from neighboring countries, especially South Africa, but also Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee Chairwoman Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change faction led by Morgan Tsvangirai confirmed the cutbacks by regional suppliers.
Economist Daniel Ndlela told reporter Blessing Zulu that due to the deep power cuts the few Zimbabwean companies remaining afloat are struggling to survive.
More reports from VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe...