President Cyril Ramaphosa asks Eskom to hold off on 18.65% tariff increase, leaving SA confused

• President Cyril Ramaphosa said he spoke to Eskom about holding off on its 18.65% tariff increase during loadshedding
• He said that they were also considering procuring power from other countries and companies to bring in electricity supply
• ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula also said the government is working towards resolving the country’s energy crisis

FREE STATE - President Cyril Ramaphosa believes that the implementation of Eskom’s tariff hikes during loadshedding would be an injury to citizens.

He was delivering his closing address at the African National Congress (ANC)'s Free State conference in Mangaung at the weekend. Ramaphosa said after speaking to Eskom, its board would discuss putting loadshedding on hold.

The president said that businesses and households were battling with the ongoing power cuts, according to EWN. He said that they were also considering procuring power from other countries.

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Ramaphosa said there are plans to speak to nearby countries and companies to bring in more electricity supply. He said previously there was a lot of red tape surrounding the electricity supply which is being cut.

Meanwhile, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said the government is working towards resolving the country’s energy crisis. He called for patience while the matter is being resolved.

Mbalula was addressing the media at the party’s provincial celebrations of its 111th birthday in Komani in the Eastern Cape. According to SABC News, his comments came after Eskom implemented Stage 3 loadshedding on Sunday, January 22.

Citizens react to Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks

@Michell19653046 said:

“Two things here, 1. It sounds like electioneering! 2. He is the "president " he never has to ask, he tells! So he really does not care about the South African citizens.”

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Steenhuizen criticises ANC leaders for leading country to energy crisis, SA reacts: "Need things to change"

@Shima06831480 commented:

“His hands are no longer tied?”

@El123V added:

“Is Cyril in charge of the ANC or not? Is he shifting the blame?”

Eskom office in KwaZulu-Natal left in the dark after failing to pay R500k bill, leaving SA howling

Briefly News also reported that Eskom’s office in Empangeni in the north of KwaZulu-Natal had its power cut due to non-payment, leaving citizens in stitches.

The power utility’s office failed to pay its high electricity bill. Eskom allegedly owes the uMhlathuze municipality almost R500 000.

The state-owned utility is not the only establishment to be disconnected. According to TimesLIVE, the city also planned to cut the power to Mhlathuze Water in Richards Bay and the departments of education, transport and social welfare.

Source: Briefly News