Ramadan: No load shedding on Eid-ul-Fitr?

With just a few days left for the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan, a petition for relief from load shedding on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr has apparently garnered over 16 000 signatures, according to political party Al Jama-ah.

Depending on the times and schedules, the deliberate power cuts posed a massive problem for Muslims during the holy month, which has a plethora of blessings for those of the Islamic faith.

With the deliberate power cuts, Muslims have to get up earlier to have their predawn meals before the fast begins and also has to prepare their food well in advance to break their fast at sunset.

No load shedding on Eid?

With the ending of Ramadan on Friday or Saturday, culminated by the day of Eid or day of celebration, Al Jama-ah’s leader in Parliament – Ganief Hendricks has instructed the party legal team to seek some reprieve from load shedding on the day.

Hendricks said the legal team will engage with the Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and the system operator at Eskom to ‘keep the lights on’ on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr.

He said the Al Jama-ah’s constituency office was inundated with calls from the members of the public who raised concerns over load shedding on the day of Eid.

ALSO READ: Ramadan: The struggle is real during load shedding

Engaging Ramaphosa

Parliamentary political party leaders have a hotline to President Cyril Ramaphosa which Hendricks used for the first time.

“The president’s counsellor, Dr Gerhard Koornhof, responded immediately, gave his full support to our request, and advised that we engage with Minister Pravin Gordhan and Eskom on the matter.

“Al Jama-ah will join any interdict application made to the High Court,” said Hendricks.

Hendricks said that he was advised that load shedding is determined by energy availability and that the system operator at Eskom must assist.

“With this in mind, we will approach Minister Gordhan on an urgent basis to keep the lights on for the day of Eid,” Hendricks added.

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