Nightmare in South Africa: US embassy warns Americans to be prepared for power grid collapse and civil unrest

South African Americans are being warned of the chaos that could follow if the country’s power grid fails.

The U.S. Embassy in South Africa has issued a security alert that potential outages could precede a wave of violent crime.

The embassy cited South Africa’s energy policy, known as “load-sharing,” in which the state-owned power company conducts massive power outages to relieve pressure on the country’s collapsing power grid, CNN reported.

Entire city blocks have been cut off from lights and electricity after South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a state of emergency due to power shortages, Euronews reported.

TIME: Town square, Cape Town, South Africa, went out due to the collapse of the country’s power grid

Ramaphosa declares state of emergency due to power outages pic.twitter.com/RZABAwhUfq

— Jack Posobec ​​ (@JackPosobec) February 16, 2023

The embassy warns that power outages ordered by the state may be accompanied by crime.

“In addition, power outages can lead to an increase in crime; for example, traffic jams when the lights are off create opportunities for robbery and burglary crimes, and residences can be attacked when the lights are off and the security systems are down.”

The embassy has warned against traveling to South Africa for security reasons – even warning Americans to stock up on food and water.

“The U.S. Embassy would like to take this opportunity to remind U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in South Africa that Level 2 travel advisories apply in South Africa: Take extra care for crime and civil unrest.”

“Maintain 72-hour supplies at home by stocking non-perishable food, 3 liters of drinking water per person per day, and medicines and first aid supplies,” read one of the Emergency Preparedness tips.

Power outages have already led to unrest in a troubled country.

According to France 24, thousands of people protested against the policy behind the rolling blackouts last month.

One Marxist anti-white political party in South Africa, the Economic Freedom Fighters, has already begun organizing anti-Ramaphosa protests in response to the crisis.

We call on the people of South Africa to join us in their ranks to #NationalShutdown demand back our electricity.

We can never and should never allow an incompetent and useless President to drag us into the dark ages!! Ramaphosa must go pic.twitter.com/6z58HmOhQv

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 27, 2023

Various factors, including the mismanagement of the nation’s energy resources, led to the riots that killed more than 300 people last year, according to the BBC.

The country’s leaders failed to build a modern energy infrastructure after the country’s apartheid era.

South Africa’s state-owned power company Eskom remains dependent on outdated coal-fired power plants, according to The Washington Post.