ANC party opens key conference

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s ruling African National Congress party has started its crucial national conference amid scandal and bitter divisions.

South Africa’s crippling power cuts of more than 7 hours a day, an unemployment rate of 35 percent and corruption will be key issues debated, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on opening the conference Friday evening.

Addressing delegates, Ramaphosa admitted that his government was partly to blame for the country’s electricity crisis.

“Poor policy decisions in the past, together with inadequate maintenance, mismanagement, ... and widespread corruption, have left our electricity system in a critical state,” said Ramaphosa.

He said that more than $170 million had been recovered from corrupt contracts at the state power company Eskom and a further $282 million would be recovered through ongoing court action.

According to Ramaphosa, the government would ensure an adequate supply of electricity by purchasing more renewable energy over the next few years.

Ramaphosa vowed that his government would continue to fight corruption.

“We must ensure that … those responsible — wherever they may be located — face the full might of the law,” said Ramaphosa.