ZHRC Calls for Inquiry into Power Cut During President Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address

The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) has expressed concern over the power outage that disrupted President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) at the Parliament of Zimbabwe on October 28, calling for an investigation into what it described as possible acts of “mischief and sabotage.”

In a statement issued on October 30, the Commission said the interruption—occurring for the second consecutive year—raised serious questions about security and the integrity of proceedings at the nation’s highest legislative institution.

> “Given the recurrence of this unfortunate power outage at the seat of the Legislature, the ZHRC is deeply concerned with what seems to be acts of mischief and sabotage,” the Commission said. “A second successive power outage certainly raises eyebrows and warrants an inquiry to establish the facts, conducted in accordance with the principles of natural justice and the fundamental rights of those concerned.”

President Mnangagwa delivered the SONA at the opening of the third session of the tenth Parliament in line with Section 141(4) of the Constitution, which mandates the Head of State to address a joint sitting of Parliament at least once a year. Despite the blackout, the President proceeded with his address, outlining the government’s priorities and progress on national development.

The ZHRC commended the President’s composure during the incident, describing his delivery as a “strong message of determination and commitment to serving the nation” under challenging circumstances.

> “The Commission views this as a strong message of determination and commitment to serving the nation, promoting the tenets of democracy, and fulfilling his duty as provided for in the Constitution,” the statement read.

The ZHRC also reaffirmed its support for the President’s call for unity and development, urging the government to intensify efforts to improve the welfare of citizens in line with Section 8 of the Constitution, which emphasizes the pursuit of social and economic justice.

> “The Commission urges the government to redouble its efforts to improve the lives of Zimbabweans so that everyone leads prosperous, happy, and fulfilling lives,” it said.

As one of the independent Chapter 12 Commissions established to uphold democracy and constitutionalism, the ZHRC pledged to continue monitoring and ensuring that government initiatives align with human rights and administrative justice standards.

The Commission’s statement concluded by reaffirming its commitment to promoting accountability, transparency, and good governance across all state institutions.

The State of the Nation Address is an annual constitutional event during which the President reports on the state of the country, outlines legislative priorities, and provides an update on government policies. The recent power interruption follows a similar incident in 2024, which also occurred during the delivery of the SONA, prompting renewed public debate on possible security and technical lapses within Parliament.