South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Photo: Gallo Images
The deliberate power cuts are not normal, One South Africa Movement leader Mmusi Maimane said, taking a stab President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Maimane said this as the country suffers its toughest week of load shedding since the beginning of 2023.
Maimane shared a clip on Twitter of JJ Tabane on eNCA commenting on PresidentRamaphosa’s remarks on load shedding.
Ramaphosa said: “the things that we spoke about was make sure we no longer have load shedding. That has been achieved.”
However, a laughing Thabane was having none of it.
“You know Cyril Ramaphosa, I’ve got a lot of time for him as you may be well aware of by now, but he can lie to you with a straight face. He can lie to you with a straight nose.”
Maimane said the current bouts of load shedding is unacceptable.
“South Africans are going through 10 or more hours of load shedding today. This is not normal and it’s not good governance.”
ALSO READ: Eskom imposes stage 6 load shedding until further notice
Maimane was not the only person who lashed out at the current stage 6 load shedding.
Journalist Ferial Haffajee also questioned the deliberate power cuts.
“Question: how do you manage Stage 6 load-shedding? Everybody’s nerves are on edge – you can feel it. Poor beloved country,” she tweeted.
Professor Jonathan Jansen said he’s had enough of load shedding.
“Ja Mr President here we are again at Stage 6 but why would you and your cabinet care? You are covered. I promise you, we are voting you lot out of power (sic) once and for all. No damn it, nobody signed up for this crappy life under your mismanagement.”
Social cohesion active Yusuf Abramjee tweeted that he hoped Ramaphosa would reshuffle his cabinet to save South Africa.
“Let’s hope with the reshuffle, President Cyril Ramaphosa will get rid of the dead wood in his cabinet and appoint dynamic Ministers who are hardworking, corrupt free and dedicated to serve our country.”
Ailing state owned entity Eskom is battling to keep South Africa electrified as excessive rolling blackouts continues with no reprieve in sight.
The parastatal has so far recoded the highest number of generating unit failures at its power stations.
Eskom said on Wedneday the breakdown of eleven units has forced it impose load shedding stage 6 evenings until further notice.
Stage 4 will continue to be implemented from 5am until 4pm daily.
Meanwhile, there could be more bad news for cash strapped South Africans with massive electricity price hikes of up to 32% on the cards.
This comes amid the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa’s) impending announcement on how much it will allow Eskom to hike electricity prices for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
ALSO READ: More bad news as massive electricity price on the cards for SA
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