Civil rights groups urge a halt to South Africa data centers boom amid water and power fears

Civil rights groups in South Africa have formally requested a moratorium on the construction of new data centers. The groups argue that current development should be paused until a comprehensive investigation is conducted into how these facilities impact the country’s limited water, land, and electricity resources.

The call for a halt comes as South Africa seeks to establish itself as a regional hub for digital infrastructure. The groups are specifically concerned that the rapid expansion of the data center industry may exacerbate existing infrastructure strains in a nation already facing significant utility shortages.