State of disaster | SAFTU confused over government’s decision

JOHANNESBURG - SAFTU says it cannot understand government's decision to declare a state of disaster to deal with the energy crisis.

President Cyril Ramaphosa made the announcement while delivering the State of the Nation Address on Thursday.

READ: Ramaphosa declares National State of Disaster over electricity crisis

The trade union federation is threatening court action to force government to take practical steps to ensure that the current blackouts do not impact hospitals, schools, police stations and other essential services.

"What we fear is that perhaps the government wants to do this to avoid accountability," said SAFTU general secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi.

"They also want to sideline the regulations so that they can do that."