President Cyril Ramaphosa will expand Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s mandate so he can deal with South Africa’s electricity crisis.
The reported power struggle between Ramokgopa and two other Cabinet members over the control of Eskom and the country’s transition to renewable energy sources has hampered attempts for Ramaphosa to designate more powers to the electricity minister.
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Media reports has suggested that Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan were against relinquishing some of their responsibilities to Ramokgopa in order for him to execute his duties.
Ramaphosa, however, has denied the claims that there is any conflict between the three ministers.
‘There’s no issue’
On Tuesday, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) was in support of Ramaokgopa’s plans to end load shedding.
Mbalula also confirmed that Ramaphosa was seized with the matter of Ramokgopa’s mandate.
“There’s no issue there in terms of his powers. The president will finalise that during the week,” he said during a media briefing.
“I repeat that we don’t want a government that projects itself to be in a crisis. The president is the leader, he is the chief executive officer of the country… it cannot be projected to be leaderless. ANC can’t allow that. We didn’t even put it on the discussion [table] because it’s a non-debate [matter].”
READ MORE: ANC supports Ramokgopa’s plans to deal with load shedding
He highlighted that Ramaphosa didn’t need to consult with the NEC on his decision.
“It’s firmly within his hand, it doesn’t need an alliance summit for that decision… if he doesn’t do it then there should be reasons why [he has not taken a decision on the matter].”
Referencing the “tension” between Higher Education Minister Blade Nzimande and his deputy, Buti Manamela, which is due to who got the media limelight, Mbalula said the president must not allow his members of his Cabinet “to run amok”.
“I know with ministers’ power can get to their heads,” he added.
Ramokgopa plans
Ramokgopa presented an 18-month plan to create about 12 000MW of additional electricity capacity to the NEC over the weekend.
The minister said the intervention would address the increased electricity demand Eskom foresees during winter and would so ensure that there wasn’t a total collapse of the country’s economy.
He proposed that government purchase more diesel since R30 billion was budgeted to spend on the fuel during winter for its open cycle turbines, as the loss of capacity caused by breakdowns at coal-powered stations persists.
Ramokgopa further pointed out that government needed to deal with Eskom infrastructure sabotage.
Another target was a six to 18-month plan that includes procuring new energy and tackling problems at problematic power stations such as Medupi and Kusile.
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