ANC calls for decisive leadership action at Eskom

27 October 2021

The African National Congress (ANC) has noted the latest announcement by Eskom on Stage 4 load-shedding with a sense of grave concern.

The latest bout of load-shedding is despite a commitment by the CEO of the utility to contain load-shedding and ease disruptions to power supply in mid-October.

The ANC is further concerned that the announcement made by Eskom coincides with the first day of final examinations for thousands of Matriculants across the country who must have the opportunity to study and write their exams uninterrupted by power outages.

Given the inconsistency in information and assurances received from the utility, the ANC is by all intents and purposes quite concerned that these acts may be the deliberate actions of some within Eskom for political ends.

To this extent, the ANC demands unequivocal answers on the current state of power supply. The mixed-messages and lack of public transparency and accountability witnessed are a source of grave concern and suspicion. It is also a direct affront to the ANC's commitment in our manifesto to ensure safe and reliable electricity supply to our communities.

For this is to be achieved, the ANC calls for leadership and transparency in explaining to South Africans the state of power supply and in order to make an honest assessment on whether the right skills and leadership are at our disposal at the utility under the current circumstances.

The anxiety and disruption meted upon our people by the inconsistency in messaging and failure to take the nation into confidence in the state of the grid must be condemned.

Issued by Pule Mabe, National Spokesperson, ANC, 27 October 2021