Supplemental Info:
South Africans have endured power cuts for years but the problem has grown dramatically in recent weeks. Public utility Eskom supplies the majority of South Africa’s electricity via a collection of coal-fired power plants that have been overused and poorly maintained. The shortage is a result of years of delay in building new coal-fired stations, systemic corruption, criminal sabotage, and general mismanagement.
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FEBRUARY 15, 2023
Security Alert: State of Disaster Declared Over Ongoing Energy Crisis of “Load-shedding” – Controlled Electricity Outages
Location: South Africa
Event: The government of South Africa has declared a “State of Disaster” in response to ongoing power shortages. The country’s energy crisis includes sustained load-shedding (controlled rolling blackouts), at varying intervals and is expected to extend beyond 2023. Load-shedding currently results in localized power outages of up to six hours or more per day throughout the country. These planned electricity outages negatively affect private residences, businesses, municipal lighting, traffic lights, and hotels. Rolling blackouts can also impact water availability and safety, internet connectivity, cell phone network coverage, fuel pumps (and therefore fuel availability), residential security features, and the food supply. Additionally, power outages have the potential to increase crime; for example, traffic jams when lights are out provide opportunities for smash and grab crime, and residences can be targeted when lights are out and security systems are not functioning. Further, ongoing conditions have led to an increase in protests and demonstrations, and in some cases civil unrest, throughout the country.
The U.S. Embassy would like to take this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens traveling to or living in South Africa that South Africa has a Travel Advisory Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to Crime and Civil Unrest.
Prepare in advance for power outages, including contingencies for communication and water (see additional actions and tips below).
Actions to Take:
Be aware of your surroundings.
Review your personal security plans.
Inquire about a back-up power supply for your place of lodging (i.e. generators or solar-power).
Avoid demonstrations.
Exercise caution if unexpectedly in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
Monitor local media for updates.
Emergency Preparedness Tips:
Have a communications plan for when there is no or limited power (land line locations, external cell phone battery, additional charging cords, hard copy of important numbers, etc.)
Ensure you have necessary medicine, personal hygiene supplies, eyeglasses
Memorize family members’ phone numbers
Identify safe areas around the city, these could include hotels, hospitals, churches, or police stations that may not lose power
Maintain 72-hours’ worth of supplies at home by stockpiling non-perishable food, 3 liters of drinking water per person per day, and medicines and first aid supplies
Store flashlights, batteries, radio, and basic tools in a safe location where all family members have easy access
If you received this email, it means that you already enrolled in STEP. Please help us to spread this message and remind all U.S. citizens in South Africa to enroll in the program so that they too can receive the most up to date security and health information.
Assistance:
United States Embassy to the Republic of South Africa
877 Pretorius Street, Arcadia, Pretoria
Tel: 012-431-4000 (outside South Africa: +27-12-431-4000)
U.S. Embassy – South Africa
Facebook: U.S. Embassy – South Africa
United States Consulate General, Johannesburg
(Covering Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Free State provinces)
1 Sandton Drive
Sandhurst, Johannesburg
ACSJohannesburg@state.gov
Tel: 011-290-3000 (outside South Africa: +27-11-290-3000)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1684 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-1684)
U.S. Consulate Johannesburg
United States Consulate General, Durban
(Covering KwaZulu-Natal Province)
Delta Towers, 31st floor|
303 Dr. Pixley KaSeme Street
DurbanAmericans@state.gov
Tel: 031-305-7600 (outside South Africa +27-31-305-7600)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-1445 (outside South Africa +27-79-111-1445)
U.S. Consulate Durban
United States Consulate General, Cape Town
(Covering Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Northern Cape provinces)
2 Reddam Avenue
Tokai, Cape Town
AmericansCapeTown@state.gov
Tel: 021-702-7300 (outside South Africa: +27 21-702-7300)
After-hours emergencies: 079-111-0391 (outside South Africa: +27-79-111-0391)
U.S. Consulate Cape Town
Facebook: U.S. Consulate Cape Town
South Africa Country Information
View the original:
https://za.usembassy.gov/security-alert-u-s-embassy-state-of-disaster-declared-over-ongoing-energy-crisis-of-load-shedding-controlled-electricity-outages/
