Notice No. 3019

9 February 2023

GG 48009

Department of Co-operative Governance

I, Dr Elias Sithole, in my capacity as the Head of the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC), after consultation with key national sector departments and Provincial Disaster Management Centres, and after assessing the magnitude and severity of the substantial impact of the severe electricity supply constraint and its possible progression to a total blackout if not prevented, and after having considered the information and recommendations provided by stakeholders, I hereby give notice that on in terms of Section 23(3) of the Disaster Management Act, 2002 (Act No. 57 of 2002), I classify the impact of the severe electricity supply constraint as a national disaster.

Emanating from the classification of this occurrence as a national disaster, in terms of section 26, read with section 23 of the Act, the primary responsibility to coordinate and manage the disaster, in terms of existing legislation and contingency arrangements, is designated to the National Executive.

In terms of Section 15(2)(aA) of the Act, read with section 23(8), hereby call upon organs of state to further strengthen and support existing structures established to coordinate and manage the implementation of contingency arrangements in line with the National Energy Action Plan, as updated from time to time, to ensure that measures are put in place to enable the National Executive to effectively deal with the effects of this disaster and prevent the escalation of the severe electricity supply constraint to a total blackout.

Also emanating from this classification, and the measures already being provided by organs of state in terms of section 23(8) and sections 15(2)(aA) of the Act, organs of state are  required to prepare and submit reports, as required by the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and in the case of a declaration of a state of disaster, report to the respective intergovernmental forums as outlined in section 24(4) to (8) of the Act.

Dr Elias Sithole

Head: National Disaster Management Centre

Date: 09/02/2023