Johannesburg – Speaking during a media tour on Wednesday at Nasrec, south of Joburg, in preparation for the ANC’s 55th national conference taking place next week, ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe said the party was concerned about the power crisis amid Eskom’s announcement of the implementation of Stage 6 load shedding.
“We are quite concerned now that we have hit Stage 6… I was not aware… I don’t think it’s enough for us to keep on calling on Eskom. I think South Africans expect leadership from the ANC. Our employees in government must act now. We can’t keep on calling Eskom and its board. Now it is time for action,” said Mabe.
Load-shedding is hurting everyone in the country, especially business and industry.
“There has got to be decisive action. We need to give South Africans certainty and we have to ensure that we communicate stability, as it relates to energy. We have to say that these are the measures that the government is undertaking… Unfortunately, we can't make rhetorical statements on energy,” Mabe said.
When asked if Eskom CEO André de Ruyter and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan should be fired, Mabe said they have to make a determination on what needs to happen.
“We said the issue of energy has got a number of layers that have to be attend to eg, the right capacity manpower-wise, sufficient capacity to deal with this infrastructure- wise. And the infrastructure ailing, investment-wise we are you putting the right investment on the energy mix. Is Eskom ensuring that they are applying what is required to be able to give South Africans the certainty they need?” Mabe said.
“If there is a problem of human capital, if there are not the right resources, move out those who are incompetent and bring in those who can do the work…
"As the ANC, we have called meetings to get reports, but reports are not enough… People need to see action,” Mabe said.
Mabe said it was all systems go for the conference to take place next week, citing that disputes (within the ANC) have been resolved.
At Nasrec, over 4 000 voting delegates from ANC branches countrywide are expected.
Mabe clarified reports suggesting that the media should pay to cover the conference.
“The ANC never said the media should pay to cover the conference.”
He urged journalists to bring their furniture and other branding materials and not to expect the party to provide them.
On December 13 and 14, 2022, the media can pick up their accreditation at the FNB Stadium.
Mabe urged the media attendees not to be caught exchanging accreditations or being in restricted areas “or else they will be arrested and criminally charged”, Mabe warned.
SAPS personnel at the venue also said they were ready for the conference.
The Star