A national state of disaster may soon be declared in an effort to end the electricity crisis.

President Cyril Ramaphosa spoke last night at the conclusion of the ANC’s national executive committee’s lekgotla in Kempton Park, confirming that plans for its implementation will be completed as soon as possible.

This includes the determination of measures that will apply during the state of disaster.

He said there was broad consensus in the ANC that a state of disaster was needed.

Work is already underway within government to establish whether the legal requirements for the declaration of a national state of disaster are met and what specific actions we would be empowered to undertake to urgently resolve #loadshedding.https://t.co/9b3Mqplv8E

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) January 30, 2023

Ramaphosa has also called on all South Africans to pay for the electricity they use, as the country works towards overcoming the energy crisis.

“As we work together to overcome the energy crisis, I call on all South Africans to pay for the electricity they use. We can only improve and expand the provision of electricity and other basic services if government and municipalities in particular have the means to do so.

“Non-payment and illegal connections make electricity provision more expensive and less reliable,” the President said.

Addressing the nation through his weekly newsletter, President Ramaphosa said the global cost of living crisis has been described as a ‘once in a generation economic shock’ and it is being worsened by global events beyond SA’s control.

“As government, we will continue with our efforts to expand the social wage, just as we accelerate our efforts to restore a reliable and secure electricity supply.

“We will continue to pursue closer cooperation with all social partners and public entities to find sustainable ways to shield South African households from the worst effects of rising energy and other costs,” President Ramaphosa said.

He said the recent announcement of an increase in electricity tariffs comes at an extremely difficult time for citizens and businesses alike, who are already contending with the high costs of fuel, food and other essentials.

Last week, the President made a call for the Eskom board to consider measures that can help to mitigate the impact of the 18.65% increase from an implementation timeframe point of view.

President Ramaphosa said the biggest problem government faces is ensuring that Eskom has the resources it needs to resolve the electricity crisis, while protecting South Africans from the effects of higher prices.

“There is no simple answer to this problem. That is why all stakeholders, including government, Eskom, business, labour and communities, need to work together to achieve a very difficult balance.

“At all times, we must be guided by the needs and interests of South Africans, especially the poor, both now and into the future. We should be wary of short-term solutions that we will regret in years to come,” he said.

READ MORE: Aim to lower load shedding by year’s end – Ramaphosa at ANC lekgotla

The Democratic Alliance called for a state of disaster to be declared around Eskom last year already.