By: Natasha Archary
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to cut his international trip short and will return home straight after the Queen’s funeral. This is, according to reports in order for the President to address the power crisis which is once again plaguing the country.
Eskom plunged the country into Stage 6 loadshedding over the weekend citing an increasing number of breakdowns across multiple power stations.
The President who has been on an international trip to the US, and will on Monday, 19 September attend Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, will now not be attending the UN General Assembly.
Instead, Ramaphosa is expected back home due to mounting pressure from South Africans who are fed up with the rolling blackouts.
According to Presidency spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, the President is concerned with the country being pushed into Stage 6 loadshedding.
“The President will fly back to SA after the Queen’s funeral to reconvene the team to determine what led to the multiple breakdowns at Eskom. As you know the President made commitments to South Africans to address loadshedding earlier this year and the President will be looking for answers from Eskom management.
There will need to be a way forward to stabilise the electricity grid and give households and businesses the reassurance that the matter is being handled with urgency.”
Presidency Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya
However, the President’s return home may be a little too late with South Africans outraged even further by the failing power utilities proposed 32% tariff increase for 2023/24.
There are also renewed calls for Eskom CEO, Andre de Ruyter to step down because even with continued servicing at Eskom, the “unplanned breakages” excuse is now wearing thin.
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