Cogta
The government has terminated with immediate effect the National State of Disaster that was declared to deal with the energy crisis.
The newly appointed Minister of Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Thembi Nkadimeng, said that the State of Disaster was a necessary response to the impact of critical levels of load shedding on the economy and vulnerable sectors such as health and small businesses.
She said following the declaration of the State of Disaster in February, the government adopted wide-ranging regulations which set out the responsibilities of the different organs of the state to mitigate the impact of severe load shedding, prevent the escalation of electricity supply constraints, and avert a national emergency.
Nkadimeng said the decision to terminate the State of Disaster regulations was also informed by the extent of the work done by the Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramakgopa.
"The Minister has in recent weeks undertaken oversight visits to power stations and consultations within government, including with Eskom, to identify and resolve electricity supply constraints," she said.
"As a structure that integrates areas of responsibility and resources within government, the National Energy Crisis Committee provides support to the Minister in the identification and resolution of bottlenecks," and in view of these developments, she decided to terminate the National State of Disaster.
Minister Nkadimeng said the 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.
"These include measures already taken to protect critical infrastructure, facilitate emergency energy generation, and protection consumers in terms of relevant competition law," she added.
