South African opposition groups, a trade union and business owners have threatened to sue the government over the incessant blackouts in the country.

Several South African politicians and business people have instructed a legal team from seven law firms to demand that the government stops cutting the country’s power.

If this cannot be done, they want an explanation. The group also wants fair compensation for the damage caused by rolling blackouts and for the government to play open cards about South Africa’s energy crisis.

They have given the government up to Friday, January 20, 2023 to stabilize electricity supply or face legal action for contravening its duty to provide electricity.

Moreover, the group has written a demand letter addressed to the Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan and the Chief Executive of the state utility firm Eskom, Andre de Ruyter, stating that the state was in breach of its obligation to provide electricity.

The South African government and Eskom have until the end of the week to respond to the legal letter demanding that an end be put to load shedding or explain why it cannot be done.

The blackouts have persisted for more than a decade, amid poor management and corruption at state firm, Eskom.

Recently the country has been having up to 10 hours of power cuts daily.

The power utility cancelled a media briefing, scheduled for 5pm on Monday, due to a meeting with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Ramaphosa Cancels His Trip To Davos

President Cyril Ramaphosa cancelled his trip to Davos for the World Economic Forum’s meeting and remained in the country to deal with the electricity crisis.

Ramaphosa had been scheduled to lead a delegation from South Africa to the Swiss resort town to promote the country as an investment destination.

However, public outrage over the electricity crisis compelled him to hold urgent meetings at home.

The state-owned power utility, Eskom, is currently implementing a high level of power blackouts, with households and businesses going without electricity for up to 10 hours daily until further notice.

Compulsory maintenance, the breakdown of generating units at its aging power stations and years of corruption have been blamed for Eskom’s failure to meet electricity demand in the country.

Presidential Spokesman, Vincent Magwenya stated that Ramaphosa will meet with leaders of opposition parties, the National Energy Crisis Committee and the Eskom board.

Last week, South Africa’s electricity regulator approved an electricity price increase for consumers of more than 18% for this year and a further increase in 2024, despite the power utility’s failure to provide a reliable supply.

Premier Alan Winde expressed deep disappointment in the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s (NERSA) decision to grant Eskom an 18.65% tariff hike for the 2023/24 financial year.

The Premier opined that the tariff hike was another blow to already hard-pressed citizens, particularly poor residents in the province who are unable to make alternative arrangements and rely on the essential service.

“Consumers are being charged more for a service that we are not getting. This hike is far above inflation and excessive. In an economy that is already vulnerable and trying to rebuild after the COVID-19 pandemic this will just contribute further to hardship for our residents.”
Premier Alan Winde

South Africa is seeking to add additional electricity capacity through emergency procurement of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, but that is unlikely to happen in the short term.