An
informal
trader
in
Nkulumane
shared
how
the
power
cuts
have
forced
her
employer
to
reduce
operations,
including
discarding
spoiled
meat.
“We
sell
drinks,
but
without
electricity,
they
don’t
stay
cold,
and
we’re
losing
money,”
she
said.
Yet,
others
in
the
fast-food
business
reported
a
surge
in
demand,
as
people
turned
to
quick,
ready-made
meals
during
power
cuts.
In
Northend,
resident
Mkhwananzi
described
how
the
frequent
outages
have
crippled
his
small
business.
“They
switch
off
the
power
around
6
a.m.,
and
it
comes
back
around
8
p.m.
With
limited
employment
opportunities,
many
of
us
rely
on
informal
businesses.
We
put
drinks
and
water
in
the
fridge,
but
now
they
can’t
stay
cold.
It’s
hurting
our
livelihoods,”
he
explained.
Mkhwananzi
also
highlighted
the
social
impact
of
the
power
cuts,
saying,
“We
love
football,
but
the
power
cuts
mean
we
miss
the
games,
even
though
we
pay
for
DSTV.
We
don’t
know
what
else
we
can
do
to
get
electricity.”
Hloniphani
Dube,
a
resident
of
Nkulumane,
echoed
similar
frustrations.
“We’re
facing
serious
load
shedding.
Now,
we’re
cooking
with
firewood
because
we
only
get
power
around
11
p.m.,
long
after
we’ve
gone
to
bed.
I’m
worried
about
these
long
hours
without
electricity.
It
used
to
be
half-day
cuts,
but
now
it’s
too
much.
We’re
asking
for
shorter
outages—they
switch
off
the
power
at
5
a.m.,
leaving
us
with
hardly
any
time
to
use
it,”
she
said.
Dube
noted
that
many
residents
are
now
forced
to
buy
gas,
but
this
is
not
sustainable.
“We
constantly
have
to
spend
money
on
gas
for
different
needs
like
ironing,
and
it
runs
out
quickly.
We
also
use
firewood,
but
it’s
tough.
We
used
to
have
lighter
skin,
but
now
we’ve
darkened
from
the
smoke.
We
are
appealing
for
reduced
load-shedding
hours,”
she
added.
Another
resident
criticised
the
power
utility’s
timing
of
the
outages,
claiming
they
are
taking
advantage
of
residents.
“They
give
us
electricity
when
we’re
asleep
and
take
it
away
when
we
wake
up.
It
feels
like
emotional
harassment.
Why
can’t
they
provide
electricity
from
4
p.m.
so
we
can
cook,
and
then
cut
it
after
7
a.m.
when
people
are
done
with
morning
routines?
Most
companies
close
by
4
p.m.
anyway,”
he
argued,
suggesting
that
some
officials
might
have
interests
in
gas
companies,
driving
residents
to
buy
more
gas.
“ZACC
needs
to
investigate
this,”
he
urged.
Amid
these
challenges,
the
Zimbabwean
government
has
outlined
its
plans
to
address
the
electricity
crisis.
During
a
post-Cabinet
briefing
in
Harare,
the
Minister
of
Information,
Publicity,
and
Broadcasting
Services,
Jenfan
Muswere,
detailed
efforts
to
restructure
ZESA
Holdings
(Pvt)
Ltd.
The
plan
involves
consolidating
some
of
its
entities,
as
recommended
by
an
independent
consultant,
with
the
aim
of
resolving
structural
issues
in
the
energy
sector.