Zimbabwe’s President, Emmerson Mnangagwa has received support from citizens for firing his Minister of Energy and Power Development, Jorum Gumbo.
The dismissal follows an earlier introduction of power cuts in the country for several hours a day – a move the business sector has warned against as this could worsen economic troubles already stemming from fuel shortages. The cuts have been recorded as the worst Zimbabwe has seen in three years.
Zimbabwe had also seen a further fuel shortage over the past few months, stemming from a lack of foreign currency required to pay multinational corporations like Trafigura and Glencore for the millions of litres of fuel they have at their disposal, a challenge not directly linked to Gumbo’s leadership but certainly a contributor to the frustration of Zimbabweans.
“I only provide fuel and it is in the country; the one who buys the fuel is Reserve Bank governor, John Mangudya.” Gumbo had said in an interview with local media on the criticism about fuel shortages.
The state power utility attributed the cut to reduced output at its largest hydro plant at Lake Karibo – producing 969 MW daily compared to the 2,100 MW demand, especially as the peak demand season of winter approaches and will result in increased consumption.
The challenges faced by the utility will also not prove quick or easy to resolve as they include decreasing water levels at the hydro-power station, ageing equipment, and a broader economic decline.
President Mnangagwa has replaced Gumbo with Fortune Chasi, who was formerly Deputy Minister of Transport and is widely considered a rising star of the ruling ZANU PF.
While Gumbo’s under-performance in office cannot be assessed without considering the constraints within which he had to work, his incumbent’s advantage over him is also his accessibility.
Chasi has come to be known by especially young Zimbabweans for his activity on social media. This is also where messages of encouragement for him were widely shared, some of which were cautiously optimistic about the future of the country’s power issues with him at the helm of affairs.
“A hearty congratulations to Honourable Advocate on his appointment. I remember having a conversation with him about the President monitoring his hard work and that it was not in vain,” said George Charamba, Press Secretary in the Office of the President, who has high hopes for the new minister.
Alex Magaisa, a former advisor to late MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai said Chasi was in for a big challenge ahead.
“Mukanya Fortune Chasi has shown himself to be a level-headed and engaging performer. But by all accounts, he has been handed a live snake. If he can tame it, his stock will surely rise. Best wishes.”
Gumbo has been deployed to the newly created role of Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in Charge of Implementation and Monitoring.