Government goes extra mile to protect Cabinet Ministers from load-shedding (ahead of when it returns)

Dear Editor

The ANC government is not taking any chances and is doing everything possible to ensure that Cabinet Ministers are protected against load-shedding, when the power blackouts return. While the ongoing load-shedding holiday is a welcome relief for everyone, the ANC government has made sure that power backup systems at ministerial residences are maintained at peak performance levels.

A reply to a DA parliamentary question by the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Sihle Zikalala, has revealed that taxpayers recently forked out close to R1 million to replace generators at 3 ministerial residences at an average cost of R325 000 per generator.

The only generators sold at that price range are industrial grade generators which are used to deliver three-phase power to power industrial machinery. Unless Cabinet Ministers are running factories from their homes, generators of this size are completely unnecessary and a shocking abuse of taxpayer money.

For Ministers and Deputy Ministers who are still using their old generators, Zikalala confirmed that the DPWI pursues a systematic maintenance schedule that ensures that ‘all existing generators are kept in good working condition’. With Eskom warning that Stage 2 may be implemented during winter, based on its winter generation outlook, Cabinet Ministers are the only individuals in South Africa who are assured of constant power supply – paid for fully by the taxpayer.

Industry data shows that a 350 kVA 3 Phase diesel generator burns 53 liters of diesel per hour on a full load. This means that during Stage 6 load-shedding, generators at ministerial residences burn 318 litres of diesel per day. We had asked Zikalala to provide us with a breakdown of the amounts spent on diesel and he conveniently failed to attach the annexures. Its clear that he wanted to hide the excessive amounts of taxpayer money that is being spent to keep the lights on for Ministers.

If ever there was an indication that the focus of the ANC over the last 30 years has moved from freedom to fiefdom, it is this. While the have failed spectacularly to lift our people out of poverty, they have, instead, shielded their cadres and leadership from the worst effects of their appalling governance.

On 29 May 2024, the people of South Africa will have the opportunity to vote in a new government that cares about uplifting all our citizens and not just enriching a few connected politicians. That is a DA government. A government with solutions to end the energy crisis, not just stall it. A government which protects its citizens against load-shedding, not its politicians. A DA government that is the only hope to rescue South Africa.

Regards

Samantha Graham-Maré MP
DA Shadow Minister of Electricity