Good morning, here’s what you need to know today:
Government considers emergency measures to solve the electricity crisis, SA’s consumer confidence is at a historic low, and carbon monoxide is considered the likely killer of the Enyobeni Tavern tragedy.
‘Scrap the damn red tape’: Gordhan, Presidency exploring Eskom emergency plans after Stage 6 – News24 (for subscribers)
While the country endured another day of stage 6 load shedding, high-level interventions were going on behind the scenes as the presidency and cabinet ministers consider unprecedented measures to suspend the red tape blocking more power from getting onto the grid.
Energy experts and opposition parties have advanced emergency plans and proposals, but government has yet to meet the moment and grasp the extreme seriousness of the lack of electricity supply.
The mounting pressure proved insurmountable for government to ignore, and public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan said that for the first time government was considering an emergency body or something similar, to resolve the electricity crisis. Read more here.
SA consumer confidence plunges to historic low in second quarter – Daily Maverick
As if load shedding didn’t add enough woe to South Africa’s prospects, consumer confidence is at a historic low after the FNB/BER consumer confidence index (CCI) dropped to -25 in the second quarter of 2022, down from -13 in the first quarter.
The only time CCI has been lower in the past thirty years was during the second quarter of 2020 when it hit -33 and back then we were at the height of a level 5 lockdown in response to covid-19.
While output levels may have returned to pre-covid levels, confidence isn’t and that does not bode well for an economy desperate for a kick start while job creation and investment will also likely suffer. Read more here.
Tavern tragedy: Carbon monoxide poisoning suspected – News24
Preliminary analysis and external observations revealed that the possible cause of the death of 21 teenagers at Enyobeni Tavern in Scenery Park, East London on Sunday, could be carbon monoxide poisoning.
Reports indicate that the children – aged between 13 and 17 – could have inhaled toxic fumes from a petrol generator that was used inside the tavern and released carbon monoxide. Read more here.
Here’s what else we’re reading:
R103m PPE tender awarded to Khusela Diko’s relative declared unlawful – EWN
How the City of Cape Town managed to avoid Stage 6 load shedding thanks to hydroelectric scheme – Daily Maverick
DA lays racketeering charges against ANC over state capture – News24
Food price shocker: these grocery items are now way more expensive in South Africa – BusinessTech
Liquor licence awarded to East London ‘death tavern’ called into question as scores march to scene in search of answers – Daily Maverick
Rand and rating firms on notice as Eskom load shedding intensifies and further wage strikes loom – BusinessTech
Sorting out your own home power system – and what it costs – BizNews
Rolling blackouts relaxed for now, situation could change at any time – Eskom spokesperson – SABC News
MTN urgently wants to buy generators from small businesses, amid ‘aggressive rollout’ – Business Insider
Tesla is tracking office attendance, and sending emails to employees who haven’t ‘badged in’ often enough – Business Insider
