Government says state of disaster ended after measures taken to lessen load shedding

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Minister Thembi Nkadimeng said since the declaration of the national state of disaster on electricity in February, government has adopted regulations which set out the responsibilities to mitigate the impact of severe load shedding.

Nkadimeng and Electricity Minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa were briefing the media on Tuesday on the withdrawal of the national state of disaster on electricity.

State of disaster on electricity

Government officially terminated the national state of disaster on electricity on Tuesday, two months after it was declared in February by President Cyril Ramaphosa.

“All regulations and directions made in terms of Section 27(2) of the Act pursuant to the declaration of the national state of disaster to deal with the impact or the severe electricity supply constraint are repealed,” it said.

Interventions

Nkadimeng said government‘s decision to withdraw the state of disaster was informed by the interventions that have already been put in place.

She said the work done by the energy crisis committee has ensured the impact of load shedding is mitigated.

“The decision to declare the national state of disaster at the time, was based on the impact of the severe load shedding on the economy and society and the threat of a progression to a total blackout.

“As we move forward, government will, through the energy crisis committee continue to engage, cooperate and coordinate its actions to reduce and eradicate load shedding using existing legislation and contingency arrangements,” Nkadimeng said.

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State of disaster can be reviewed

Ramokgopa said the withdrawal of the state of disaster is permanent, but it does not mean that it cannot be reviewed in future if needed.

“From time to time, there will be a review on the instruments that we have in order to deal with the load shedding matter… if we arrive at a determination to review, there are mechanisms in which government can implement such measures.”

Electricity minister

Ramokgopa said his visits to Eskom power plants has afforded him the opportunity to identify and resolve electricity supply constraints.

Although the state of disaster has been terminated, Ramokgopa is likely to remain in his position as minister of electricity as load shedding continues to grip the country.

Outa, in a tweet on Wednesday, questioned the role of Ramokgopa.

“What has the minister done apart from a blitz tour of power stations where he announced corruption is not a problem? And what changed? Time for government to admit they didn’t have a clue why they declared a state of disaster in the first place. They didn’t even agree internally on that,” Outa tweeted.

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