SOUTH AFRICA’S RULING PARTY CALLS FOR STATE OF DISASTER TO END ENERGY CRISIS

South Africa’s governing ANC party has asked top officials to declare a national state of disaster to end severe electricity blackouts that have wreaked havoc on Africa’s most industrialised nation. ANC Secretary-General said Fikile Mbalula told a news conference on Tuesday that declaring a national disaster will unlock additional funds and resources to better manage the crisis. He said the move will speed up the response of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s administration, with a target of ending the blackouts by year-end.

The years-long crisis of intermittent power cuts has worsened in recent months, with the electricity network operated by the debt-laden state energy firm failing to keep pace with demand as it struggles to maintain its ageing coal-powered infrastructure. The scheduled blackouts, which can last from two hours to over 12 hours a day, have sparked widespread anger and taken a heavy toll on industrial production and businesses.

Meanwhile, opposition parties have vowed to stage more protests against the government’s response to the blackouts, after the most recent mass demonstrations last week drew several thousands of people into the streets.