By: Natasha Archary
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is not convinced the new Minister of Electricity, Kgosientsho ‘Sputla’ Ramokgopa, will solve the electricity crisis.
DA leader John Steenhuisen said President Ramaphosa just extended the Cabinet instead of cutting costs.
Steenhuisen reiterated that each Cabinet post costs the taxpayer an estimated R37 million a year.
“It is simply unfathomable that the President can push this cost onto the South African taxpayer while the nation languishes under sluggish economic growth, the highest unemployment rate in recent history, and an electricity crisis that is shedding jobs at record numbers.”
The DA further stated that Ramokgopa who was the Mayor of Tshwane, almost singlehandedly wiped out the City of Tshwane with a smart meter contract declared highly irregular by the Auditor General when he was the metro’s mayor.
Steenhuisen said the only thing Ramokgopa will ensure in his capacity as Minister of Electricity is permanent blackouts.
The DA leader said this is the presumption because the President didn’t bother to set any performance agreements, targets, or tangible outcomes and timelines to measure any of the newly appointed ministers.
Steenhuisen also mocked the President’s decision to make Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma Minister of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities.
Meanwhile, Independent Political Analyst, Khaya Sithole shared his views on the Cabinet reshuffle.
“I think Ramokgopa is the bravest man in the country at the moment, but his appointment adds a layer of complexity to how Eskom is going to be managed.
Because the President has still not addressed the civil war that is brewing between Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan and Minister of Energy, Gwede Mantashe.”
Khaya Sithole on the appointment of the Electricity Minister
Listen to the conversation on Kaya 959 Breakfast:
Also read: Not much changes with Ramaphosa’s cabinet reshuffle
