By 
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has filed urgent legal proceedings in the High Court of Zambia, seeking an immediate suspension of all non-essential electricity exports until domestic supply stabilized and every Zambian household had access to reliable power.
EFF leader, Kasonde Mwenda, said the action was grounded in Section 17 of the Electricity Act No. 11 of 2019, which mandates the Minister of Energy and the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) to approve power exports only after confirming that Zambia’s domestic needs were fully met and the public interest safeguarded.
In a legal suit dated October 28, 2025, Mwenda said the EFF stood in solidarity with families enduring long power outages, business owners watching their livelihoods collapse, and patients turned away from powerless hospitals.
“While you—the people of this Republic—are forced to survive on a mere four hours of electricity daily, this government continues to export our precious energy to foreign countries,” Mwenda said.
He described the government’s conduct as “economic treason,” accusing it of prioritising foreign contracts over citizens’ welfare.
“We refuse to stand idle while Zambian children study by candlelight so that Namibian and Botswanan homes can stay bright,” Mwenda stated, adding that Zambia’s energy “belongs to Zambians” and must first serve national needs.
Quoting Section 18 of the Electricity Act, Mwenda said the Minister of Energy is empowered—and obligated—to declare an energy emergency when a substantial shortage threatens public health, safety, or welfare.
“With citizens receiving only four hours of power daily while businesses collapse and hospitals struggle, these conditions are clearly met,” he said.
Mwenda also cited the Energy Regulation Act No. 12 of 2019, which he said compelled government and energy licensees to act in the public interest by prioritising consumer welfare and national energy security.
“The legal framework exists. The crisis is undeniable. Yet this government chooses to honour foreign commercial interests over the constitutional rights and survival of Zambian citizens,” he said.
He added that if the executive failed to act, the courts should compel it to fulfil its legal and moral obligations.
Mwenda claimed that while 106 megawatts were being exported to neighbouring countries, Zambians were enduring blackouts that had forced small businesses—employing 88 percent of the workforce—to shut down.
He further noted that hospitals and clinics were failing to provide critical services, students could not study, industries had reduced production, and food security was under threat due to power shortages affecting irrigation and cold storage systems.
“Meanwhile, Namibia thanks Zambia for keeping their lights on, and Botswana enjoys uninterrupted power for their industries—all paid for by Zambian suffering,” Mwenda alleged.
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