Climate Politics

ANC Leader Says Climate Pact Causing South African Power Cuts

  • Mbalula doubles down on discredited claims about pact
  • South Africa suffers recurrent power cuts as plants break down
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Fikile Mbalula, the secretary general of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress, reiterated a discredited claim that an $8.8 billion climate finance pact is responsible for the recurrent power outages in the country.

Mbalula, speaking at a debate between political party leaders in Johannesburg on Thursday, said the closure of coal-fired plants to win the finance is responsible for the blackouts that have hobbled Africa’s most-industrialized economy.