Chanda blames past govts for energy crisis, says ZESCO abused by politicians for political patronage

Charles Chanda, leader of the United Prosperous and Peaceful Zambia (UPPZ), has cast blame on previous governments for Zambia’s ongoing power crisis, accusing them of using ZESCO, the national power utility, as a “cash cow” for political campaigns instead of reinvesting in the energy sector.

In a statement issued from Kitwe on Monday, Chanda highlighted a pattern of past regimes exploiting ZESCO’s resources for political gain by appointing party loyalists to key positions and neglecting the reinvestment necessary to maintain a stable energy supply.

“ZESCO was treated as a political tool, its funds misused to finance campaigns, while competent professionals were sidelined,” Chanda stated.

He said: “This misuse has left the country in a situation where ZESCO cannot adequately meet its mandate, resulting in the persistent power shortages we see today.”

Chanda advised the current UPND government to break away from this legacy of mismanagement and take immediate steps to resolve the power crisis.

He specifically pointed to the ongoing load shedding, which continued to strain businesses and households alike.

“We cannot afford to continue along this path of mismanagement. It is imperative that the UPND act decisively to restore public confidence in our national power supplier,” he said.

“This is not just about load shedding; it’s about restoring the dignity and functionality of ZESCO.”

Chanda criticized the tendency of blaming external factors such as drought for Zambia’s power shortages, arguing that poor management practices have played a far greater role in destabilizing the energy sector.

“It’s not enough to point fingers at the weather or external challenges. The heart of the problem lies in the political interference and mismanagement of ZESCO over the years,” he explained. “These practices have undermined the authority of qualified professionals, resulting in poor decision-making that has only worsened the crisis.”

He called on the government to take responsibility for the state of ZESCO and urged for systematic reforms to stabilise the utility’s operations and restore reliable electricity supply to all Zambians.

“The government must take responsibility for the dire situation at ZESCO and implement systematic changes,” Chanda said.

He said: “We need qualified professionals leading ZESCO, and we must ensure that decisions are made with the future of Zambia in mind, not short-term political interests.”

Chanda also warned that failure to resolve the power crisis could have severe consequences for the country’s economy and overall quality of life.

“ZESCO’s inefficiency directly impacts the economy, particularly industries and small businesses that rely on stable electricity. If we do not address this issue immediately, the long-term implications will be devastating,” he cautioned.

Chanda concluded by urging the UPND government to act swiftly and decisively, adding that restoring ZESCO’s credibility and functionality was crucial to rebuilding public trust and ensuring a stable energy supply for future generations.

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