Anti-Coal Protesters Target South African Energy Minister

Environmental activists disrupted a speech by South Africa’s energy minister to protest against the country’s continued use of coal to generate electricity, a practice they said was exacerbating power shortages and corruption.

Africa’s most industrialized nation, which burns the dirtiest fossil fuel to produce more than 80% of its electricity, is being subjected to record blackouts as poorly maintained plants break down. While the government has committed to transitioning to cleaner sources of power, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe stands accused of frustrating the process.