Speculation grows as South Africa cuts fuel and electricity to Zimbabwe

By Lance Guma
06 February 2006

South Africa has cut both fuel and electricity supplies to Zimbabwe sparking speculation the government is frustrated with the lack of progress in resolving political and economic problems in Zimbabwe. South Africa’s power utility Eskom confirmed at the weekend that it had switched off power supplies to Zimbabwe. The move coincides with a circular sent by South Africa's department of minerals and energy telling fuel companies to stop supplying fuel to Zimbabwe with "immediate effect". The department cites "refining problems" as the reason for the move.

For Zimbabweans who have had to endure endless power cuts and fuel shortages the situation keeps getting worse. Last week the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority said it could no longer guarantee future supplies of electricity. Although political analysts suspect South Africa is playing power games with Zimbabwe, Eskom itself says the power cuts are meant to enable planned maintenance work. Sidney Masamvu, Southern African analyst for the International Crisis Group, says Thabo Mbeki’s government is frustrated by the lack of progress in resolving political problems in Zimbabwe and wanted a subtle reminder of the economic pressure they could put on Mugabe’s government.

The wellbeing of Zimbabwe’s economy relies primarily on its relationship with South Africa. Most analysts agree only economic pressure will force Mugabe to accept political reforms. Mbeki told the South African Broadcasting Corporation at the weekend how close both Zanu PF and the MDC were towards secretly agreeing a new constitution two years ago. On the same weekend Mbeki talked about these events, his government somehow cut both fuel and electricity to Zimbabwe. According to Masamvu this shows that there is a link between the two developments and that South Africa wanted to speed up progress towards solving its neighbour’s problems.

Zimbabwe has struggled to pay for fuel and electricity supplies because of foreign currency shortages caused by economic mismanagement, but South Africa has always made concessions for them in the past. Masamvu says what is obvious is that South Africa has run out of patience with Mugabe, whether it be in the manner of payment for supplies or the political environment that causes their inability to pay for supplies.