Opposition parties have received Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s promise of the imminent reduction of load shedding with scepticism.
They said the African National Congress can’t pat itself on the back for fixing a problem of its own making, and that ending load shedding is only a temporary, electioneering tactic.
Parties were debating Ramokgopa’s statement on energy availability in the National Assembly on Tuesday.
At the same time, former Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane delivered her maiden speech as an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) member of Parliament (MP).
Mkhwebane said government can’t completely eradicate coal from its energy mix. The EFF also wants the life of the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station to be extended.
“It’s illusionary for anyone to think that and believe that you can end load shedding without securing base load electricity generation.”
The Inkatha Freedom Party’s Mkhuleko Hlengwa said Ramaokgopa has been handed a poisoned chalice and has no clear portfolio.
“What is it that is your function other than weekly press briefings, which are important for the dissemination of information and then, of course, you visiting these power stations?”
With the energy availability factor still under 60%, the Freedom Front Plus’ Wouter Wessels is unconvinced of a permanent end to load shedding.
“We saw this in 2008 as well, when there was load shedding and then just before the elections, strides were made. ”
The Good Party’s Brett Herron meanwhile said the pace of introducing renewable energy sources had been too slow.
-EWN
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