South Africa: Nationwide power outages continue as of January 6

Event

Originally supposed to end on Monday, January 6, at 05:00 (local time), power outages, which have affected the country since early December, are still reported in Johannesburg as of midday on Monday. Further power cuts are possible in the coming days across South Africa.

Associated transportation, business, and power disruptions are expected in the coming weeks. Demonstrations are also possible if power disruptions persist over the near term.

Context

South Africa faces recurrent power outages due to climate incidents and the important economic and technological difficulties the national electricity company, Eskom (supplying 95 percent of the country's electricity) is going through as a result of the inadequate maintenance of its old power stations.

Advice

Individuals in South Africa are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities, and keep battery-operated devices fully charged whenever possible.