Clayson Hamasaka’s response to the power blackout exemplifies an administration more obsessed with deflecting blame and managing its image than confronting the real, life-threatening issues facing the country.
By Mpandashalo Mwewa.
Lusaka, Nov. 26 – In the wake of a fiery critique by former President Edgar Lungu over the national power blackout, Clayson Hamasaka, Chief Communications Specialist at State House, delivered a response that was as illuminating as the darkness it sought to justify. Dismissing Lungu’s concerns as routine political barbs, Hamasaka casually reminded Zambians that mass power outages were not new to the country or the region. One would think such nonchalance was an attempt to redefine negligence as tradition, but alas, it was just another exercise in government blame-shifting.
Also Read: From Power Grids to Political Grids: ZESCO’s Descent into Darkness Under UPND. Former President Edgar Lungu critiques the UPND government for reducing ZESCO to a state of dysfunction through political interference and managerial purges, resulting in nationwide blackouts that endanger lives and businesses.
Hamasaka’s tone-deaf response epitomizes the administration’s trademark cocktail of arrogance and evasion. Instead of addressing the root causes of the prolonged blackout or providing reassurances, he dusted off a tired playbook of deflection, dragging Lungu’s tenure into the spotlight. This tactic not only sidesteps accountability but also insults the intelligence of Zambians who are less interested in historical finger-pointing and more concerned about their present and future. When lives and critical services hang in the balance, the government’s job is to take responsibility – not play a rhetorical blame game.
The real tragedy lies in what Hamasaka chose not to address. Critical installations like hospitals were plunged into darkness, endangering patients reliant on life-support systems. The power failure wasn’t just a technical hiccup; it was a life-threatening crisis that demanded swift action and a commitment to overhaul emergency preparedness. Instead, the nation was offered a hollow defense of failure, leaving citizens to wonder whether this administration even grasps the weight of its mandate.
Also Read: By His Own Words, Zambians Must Seek a New President! “When the government fails to change the lives of the people, the people must change the government!” – Hichilema. What should Zambians do in 2026?
Equally disheartening is the once-vibrant ZESCO’s decline into mediocrity. President Lungu’s observation that the utility has become a shadow of its former self is a stark reminder of the dangers of politicized management. Since 2021, the purging of skilled professionals in favour of political loyalists has reduced the country’s energy backbone to a fragile structure unable to bear the weight of national demands. Hamasaka’s failure to acknowledge this glaring reality is a dereliction of duty that borders on willful ignorance.
The government’s insistence on shifting blame is a dangerous habit that undermines public trust and hinders progress. A blackout of this magnitude should have prompted a transparent explanation, an apology, and a detailed plan to prevent future occurrences. Instead, Zambians received a lecture in historical irrelevance, further eroding confidence in an administration that seems more concerned with saving face than saving lives. The people deserve leaders who take responsibility, not spin doctors armed with excuses.
Also Read: Silencing the Truth Fails to Mask the Reality, Paves the Way for Lungu’s Return. As Zambia’s economic crisis worsens and Hichilema resorts to silencing the revelation of the truth, the likelihood of Edgar Lungu’s comeback grows, reflecting the people’s call for leadership that values accountability and true public service over political suppression.
If this administration is serious about restoring faith in ZESCO and its ability to manage national crises, it must prioritize competence over cronyism. The nation is tired of half-hearted reassurances and deflections. Zambia needs bold, transformative leadership to illuminate the path forward – not a government that thrives in the shadows of its failures. Until then, it seems the lights will continue to go out – along with any shred of accountability.
About The Author: Mpandashalo Mwewa, currently the Chief Editor at Woodpecker’s Digest, formerly held the same role at Zambia Reports. Known for championing Pan-African education reforms with a focus on critical thinking, he employs journalism to instigate social transformation.
About Our Advocacy: Woodpecker’s Digest provides in-depth analyses and commentary on issues of national importance, alongside articles on personal development and health. We believe journalism can be a force for socio-economic change.
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