SA could slip back to load-shedding if Treasury doesn’t approve coal contracts soon. Eskom chair

Eskom’s running out of coal reserves and if something’s not done soon, we might see load-shedding making a return this winter.

That’s the message the utility’s Ben Ngubane put out on Tuesday; just hours after a scathing report by amaBhungane alleged that Ngubane and CEO Brian Molefe had been involved in a scheme to help the Guptas take control of a coal mine that was supplying Eskom.

Read: Molefe had a hand in ‘helping’ the Guptas get their own mine, contracts with Eskom. Report

According to TimesLive Ngubane said that, while we’ve not had to deal with power cuts for the last two years, the reserves are running out and if Eskom doesn’t build up its stockpile soon, there might be blackouts.

“Now we have a problem because Treasury has not yet signed our coal purchase agreements and we are in winter‚ and the winter is getting bitter. People are using electricity like crazy … We need to have enough stock of coal in view of that,” Ngubane said, adding that Molefe was to thank for the absence of power cuts in the past.

“And the person who must take credit for that is Brian. [His reappointment] is for the good of the country and in the [best] interest of the company.”

Last week it was announced that Brian Molefe would be returning to Eskom as CEO, after quitting in the wake of former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report. Molefe had a very public breakdown when probed about his alleged visits to Saxonwold, where the Guptas have their compound.

Shortly after, the ANC announced he would be made an MP, but just a couple of months later Molefe was back at Eskom.

Opposition parties, civil society organisations and even the ANC spoke out against Molefe’s reappointment, but it looks like he’s there to stay.