The party’s top body said it was directing government to speed up energy sector reforms “to alleviate the plight of South Africans”.

The country has been in a grip of its biggest power crisis in years, with rolling blackouts of up to six hours a day.

ANC spokesman Pule Mabe said what was required to alleviate the crisis was “a practical programme that says these are the steps, these are the interventions”.

Last week the state-run power firm Eskom introduced rolling blackouts in order to prevent a nationwide blackout.

The power cuts have been exacerbated by industrial action by workers at Eskom - who went on strike last week.

A pay deal has now been reached but Eskom says that doesn't mean an end to the power cuts as it will take time to clear the backlog of maintenance work.