There’s no logic in Eskom about-face

Trying to look for the thread of logic in some of our government’s decisions is a bit like trying to unravel a badly tangled ball of twine … the more you think you’re getting somewhere, the more you become twisted and ensnared.

It was difficult for us, we said, in trying to follow the ANC’s motivation for allowing Eskom an exemption from declaring irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure in its annual financial statements. That is, apart from the clear possibility that this was to cover up looting.

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However, our rulers told us the information was to be excluded so the international ratings agencies and lenders would not think badly of us. But, the announcement went out in public – perhaps hoping the foreigners don’t pay attention to the news…

So, now, what to make of the sudden about-face on that exemption – only “for now” as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says – and for the extraordinary cancellation of the national state of disaster of electricity supply, less than two months after it was implemented?

Perhaps someone in Luthuli House realised that, taken together, both these legal instruments paint a picture of South Africa as a corrupt country on the verge of collapse … not what you want the outside world to see.

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In the case of the state of disaster, the withdrawal means the government doesn’t face the prospect of having the edict overturned judicially, as may well have happened in the legal action challenging it brought by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa).

Taxpayer money will cover Outa’s legal costs so far.

The about-face may indicate the ANC knows decisions are being made without proper deliberation and consideration of the consequences. That is a good thing, because the ruling party may realise there are plenty of other similar, potentially damaging, decisions and policies.

And, hopefully, we might truly get “back to the future”…

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