Photo: PresidencyZA / TW
Photo: PresidencyZA / TW
South Africa has had some brilliant political rivalries over the years: Maimane vs Zuma, Madisha vs Pandor, the EFF vs everyone else. But the most jaw-dropping fallouts emerge when the ANC fights itself. That’s what we’ve got here, and Deputy President David Mabuza has dropped Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan right in it.
David Mabuza throws Pravin Gordhan under the bus
DD Mabuza, speaking during an ANC event in Kimberley, was asked by reporters if Jabu Mabuza and Pravin Gordhan – and other members of the Eskom board – misled President Ramaphosa over the extent of load shedding.
Cyril claimed there’d be no load shedding until mid-January, but the lights went out right at the start of the month. Ramaphosa’s right-hand man didn’t hesitate, and agreed with the reporter before repeating his claim.
“Well, [Gordhan and Jabu Mabauza] have mislead the president, but I myself have insisted on the maintenance of power stations at Eskom. You can’t rule out load shedding if there’s no maintenance of generational units. Some are old, new ones need building and they must be brought up to full capacity.”
David Mabuza
When Cyril was misled on Eskom
It is understood that the meeting of minds which took place in Sandton shortly after Stage 6 load shedding was rolled-out in December was the scene of this alleged deception. From there, Ramaphosa briefed the nation, explaining that there would be respite over the festive period. A second round of blackouts was announced last week, before most of us had even gone back to work.
In December 2019 President Cyril Ramaphosa, his deputy David Mabuza together with Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan sat in a room with Eskom’s management where they were “misled” about the extent of Eskom’s ability to halt #loadshedding
— Tebogo Tshwane (@TshwaneTebogo) January 9, 2020
Pravin Gordhan under scrutiny
It comes during a week where Pravin Gordhan is starting to feel the pressure once more. For the best part of a year, his turnaround strategy for Eskom has failed to get off the ground. The hope and optimism that was championed during the first SONA of 2019 has all but gone for the beleagured plant.
The South African Energy Forum (SAEF) have also called for Gordhan to face the sack. The cohort of industry experts have argued that the ANC stalwart lacks the necessary qualifications to manage the Eskom crisis. Never mind the critics, even Pravin’s colleagues now seem happy to stick the knife in.
