Cold winter looming amid national power crisis

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) in the Free State says a bleak winter awaits more than half of the province's population if Eskom does not succeed in improving delivery before the cold strikes.

Free State ACDP leader, Casper Nordier, says nearly 55% of the province's population is now dependent on electricity for heating, as opposed to less than 40% 11-years-ago. He says 75% now use electricity for cooking purposes and almost 90% of the province's inhabitants use electricity for lighting.

Bloemwater has warned of imminent water quotas as a result of the electricity cuts.