Cape Town – The South African government has gazetted the disaster management regulations for “severe electricity supply constraints” in response to the electricity crisis plaguing the country.
The response followed a sitting of the President’s Co-ordinating Council as well as a special sitting of Cabinet on Monday, February 27.
The National State of Disaster was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa during his 2023 State of the Nation Address and declared by the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs on 9 February.
Ramaphosa said the regulations would protect certain infrastructure from load shedding.
Acting Cabinet spokesperson Nomonde Mnukwa said the regulations aim to assist, protect and provide relief to the public; protect property; prevent and combat disruption; and deal with the destructive nature and other effects of the disaster by:
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Minimising the impact of load shedding on livelihoods, the economy, policing functions, national security, security services, education services, health services, water services, food security, communications and municipal services
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Reducing and managing the impact of load shedding on service delivery to support lifesaving and specified essential infrastructure
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Providing measures to enable the connection of new generation of electricity
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Providing measures to improve Eskom’s plant performance.
The government also outlined the roles of cabinet ministers while the regulations are in force.
“Under the regulations, Cabinet Ministers can issue directions within their area of focus to address the current electricity shortfall and prevent an escalation of the energy crisis to where it has a worse impact on our society and economy.
“They can further support specific areas where protection is required, such as our critical water infrastructure and health facilities. This allows for decisive action in key areas that will embolden our nation’s efforts to address our energy crisis,” Mnukwa said.
The government added that regulations facilitated the import of electricity by Eskom from neighbouring countries.
Funding interventions, relief schemes and benefits during the national state of disaster will also be enacted.
“Consumers will be protected from excessive pricing of goods and services and availability of the supply of goods and services will be secured during the national state of disaster,” Mnukwa said.
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Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
