South African Federation of Trade Unions pickets outside Eskom headquarters in Sunninghill

Eskom spokesperson refutes Saftu’s claims that load-shedding affect those living in townships than those in affluent suburbs

October 25, 2022

Nduduzo Nxumalo 1 minute read

Saftu secretary general Zwelinzima Vavi speaks outside the Eskom headquarters in Sunninghill

The general secretary of the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu), Zwelinzima Vavi has called for Eskom CEO head Andre de Ruyter to be fired for what he described as a spectacular failure to solve the problem of load-shedding.

Vavi was speaking during the union’s demonstration held outside the power utility’s headquarters in Sunninghill on the evening of October 19 where Saftu members lit candles as a sign of protest against the ongoing load-shedding.

Saftu members demonstrate outside Eskom headquarters. Photo: Nduduzo Nxumalo

Vavi said load-shedding was affecting people living in townships more than those residing in affluent suburbs in the country.

“We have come to demonstrate here because the working class are the ones that pay the ultimate price of all this energy we are losing. The black working class especially those living in townships experience weeks of load-shedding compared to the suburbs and we are here to give them a voice,” he said.
“… It’s been 15 years of starvation and load-shedding in South Africa. The President [Cyril Ramaphosa] and his whole cabinet must go including the CEO of Eskom. We will not allow them to privatise Eskom for their own greedy ambitions.”

Saftu spoksperson Trevor Shaku with a candle outside Eskom’s offices in Megawatt Park during the demonstration. Photo: Nduduzo Nxumalo

Eskom national spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha rubbished Vavi’s claims that load-shedding was affecting those living in the townships more than those in affluent suburbs.

“Load-shedding gets implemented across the country and affects everyone living in South Africa,” Mantshantsha said.