afrol News, 21 January - Nationwide power failures shut down basic services across Zambia and Zimbabwe for several hours at the weekend.

South Africa has cut energy supplies to its neighbours after acute shortage of electricity had become a burden on its [South Africa] economy.

It is not clear whether power failures in Zimbabwe and Zambia are connected to South African action.

After eight hours of darkness, power was restored in Zambia. But the situation remained unsolved in Zimbabwe, depriving the country's citizens from accessing anything powered by the electricity throughout the weekend.

Zimbabwe has been importing 40% of its energy supply and due to lack of foreign currency, the country could not settle its bills, let alone import spare parts.

Zimbabwe's national radio said the power and water failures have no connection with South Africa's state energy company, Eskom's supply cut. It said the failures were caused by a major breakdown.

Zambia generates most of its energy supplies from hydro-electric power. Its blackout has been linked to problems with turbine in one of its dams.

South African commuters on Friday set fire to trains in Pretoria in protest at the two-hour train delay caused by power cuts.

South African authorities have been warned to remedy the ailing energy crisis otherwise their country's economic goals would not be achieved.

The ANC has endorsed an urgent action to address the situation by endorsing the development of an urgent development plan on the problem.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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