1 From Darkness to Action: An account of reclaiming people led accountability
As of May 2024 ,Zambia was grappling with loadshedding nationwide. This was mainly been attributed to the effect of climate change specifically El Nino. To tackle the issue of loadshedding, the nation’s electricity supply corporation ZESCO, had placed measures to mitigate the issue. Notable among them is the publication of a weekly schedule that details the time that electricity will not be in supply based on the locality. The said schedules although welcomed, had failed to live up to its intended purpose as households and small businesses were experiencing erratic power cuts, over 24 hours load shedding contrary to the provided time and unequitable distribution of electricity. This led to numerous small businesses in the nation that make up over 50% of the nation’s economy to gradually shut down.
Additionally, the Corporation had failed to provide the nation with a laid out short term and long-term plan that will prevent vulnerable Zambians from experiencing such detrimental effects of load shedding. It is from this back ground that The Fix It Movement embarked to hold nationwide protests against the mismanagement of the loadshedding crisis. The protests were aimed to serve as platforms that we affected Zambian citizens can air out our grievances as well as provide viable solutions to the Corporation on how best they can serve our interests.
2 The First Steps Toward Justice
On 24h June 2024, the police is notified of the Fix ZESCO Protest that is aimed at addressing fake schedules, unequal loadshedding, as well as pushing for the cooperation to provide long term and short term measures to avoid a similar crisis in future. The police stamp and confirm receipt of notice.
3 The Power Struggle: Dialogue and Broken Promises
The series of events continued on 3rd July when protesters were summoned by police for a discussion at 09:00hrs, which lasted for over an hour. Later at 11:00hrs, Zesco management met with protesters at their headquarters and proposed a town hall meeting at Mulungushi for 500 people as a resolution, prompting protesters to temporarily halt their demonstration. However, by 15:00hrs, Zesco withdrew this offer and instead proposed a tour to Siavonga for 20 individuals, which was rejected by the protesters, leading to an inconclusive meeting by 19:00hrs. On 4th July, the parties re-engaged, with protesters proposing a live press briefing to address public concerns, but Zesco rejected this idea, maintaining their offer of a Siavonga trip, causing further breakdowns in the talks.
On 5th July, Zesco initially agreed to hold a joint press conference, and both parties began drafting statements. However, by 15:00hrs, Zesco issued an unapproved statement and discontinued the dialogue. On 6th July, Zesco further undermined trust by leaking private conversations to a propaganda platform, sparking accusations of dishonesty. In response, protesters affirmed their willingness to pursue democratic dialogue but announced plans to continue their protest due to failed negotiations. On 7th July, heavily armed police were deployed to Zesco’s premises to prevent peaceful citizens from engaging with the taxpayer-funded public service provider.
4 Oppression Unmasked: Arrests in the Fight for Accountability
On 10th July at 08:00hrs, individuals who had applied to hold a peaceful protest arrived at Zesco premises to prepare for their demonstration but were unexpectedly arrested by the Zambia Police without any charges or stated reasons. Meanwhile, by 12:00hrs, other protesters shifted their plans to an alternative location as Zesco had barricaded itself with police to avoid engaging with customers.
Later that evening, after 18:00hrs, the arrested protesters were released from police custody without charges or any explanation for their earlier detention, leaving the situation unresolved and further escalating tensions.
5 The Call for a Revolutionary August: Protesters Take the Fight to the Public Protector
On 12th July 2024, protesters announced August as the month for nationwide protests against Zesco, aiming to express dissatisfaction with its incompetence and issues surrounding its unreliable load-shedding schedules. On 18th July at 09:00hrs, protesters officially notified the police of their planned protest in Lusaka on 9th August, clarifying that the lack of a police response would be considered approval under the law. Later that day, at 14:00hrs, protesters escalated their efforts by filing a complaint with the Public Protector’s Office, signaling their intention to utilize all available channels, including protests, to hold Zesco accountable.
On 23rd July at 14:00hrs, residents of the Eastern Province informed the police of a corresponding protest in Chipata, set for 9th August, for affected citizens in that region.
6 Protesters Abducted in Broad Daylight
On 2nd August 2024, the protestors whilst enjoying their entry at the Show Grounds were unlawfully detained and abducted by ZESCO members of staff for wearing shirts with personal messages on the Loadshedding crisis. Following this the power utility company was sued and the trail is yet to commence.
7 The Assembly
After much dialogue, the protestors and members of the public met with government officials and key players in the energy sector to forge viable solutions to the energy crisis.
MINISTRY OF ENERGY MEETS WITH PROTESTORS OVER POWER RATIONING
GOVERNMENT ENGAGES FIX ZESCO CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS POWER RATIONING CONCERNS
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The Fix It Movement is a non-partisan collective committed to fighting systemic inequality in Zambia through grassroots organizing, mass mobilization, and community-driven action. We believe in the power of unity, accountability, and collective action to build a just and equitable society where every citizen thrives.
The Fix It Centre
- +260 952 864 737
- info@fitxitmovement.com
- Lusaka, Zambia