No need to declare state of emergency for power crisis – Ramaphosa
President
Cyril Ramaphosa says there's no need to declare a state of emergency as
government moves to solve the energy crisis.
"We do not need a state of emergency or national disaster to implement common sense regulations that should help in resolving our energy crisis. We have all the instruments and processes we need to implement.”
President Ramaphosa's shared plans to end load shedding in a national address from the Union Buildings on Monday evening.
Government will procure new generation capacity from private producers, but he says Eskom will remain the main supplier of power in the country.
"These changes will allow more generators, both private and state-owned, to compete on an equal footing. The grid will remain state-owned. Eskom will continue to be the mainstay of our country’s energy industry as we improve its efficiency, financial sustainability and performance,” he told South Africans.
Police have set up a special law enforcement team to help Eskom tackle crime, corruption and fraud.
"Progress has also been made by law enforcement agencies in tackling sabotage, theft and fraud at Eskom’s power stations and other key installations,” Ramaphosa announced.
“A number of people have already been arrested and several others have alreay been prosecuted for corruption and fraud involving Eskom contracts.”
While these actions to stabilise electricity generation have brought relief from the current load shedding, the system remains vulnerable and unreliable.
