Energy minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson’s slapdash approach to dealing with the Eskom crisis exploded in her absent face yesterday when MPs from all parties – including the ANC – slammed a presentation as “disingenuous” and “underwhelming”.
The highly charged energy portfolio committee meeting ended with ANC MP and committee chairman Fikile Majola promising Joemat-Pettersson would be made to account next week for the poor plan produced.
MPs were furious the department sent its presentation only yesterday morning, leaving no time to prepare.
Furthermore, Joemat-Pettersson, who was told last week that she had to attend, informed Majola only on Monday that she was instead going to the DRC.
In his presentation, for which he later apologised, deputy DG Omphi Aphane said a third of South African power generation capability is lost to breakdowns at any given time.
He undertook that Eskom would in future do routine rather than “reactive” maintenance, and run power plants at full blast on diesel to plug the gap.
He also repeated plans to import gas, limit consumption and co-generate electricity with municipalities and the private sector. The lack of detail, economic data and new plans angered all MPs.
Energy minister enrages parliament
The highly charged energy portfolio committee meeting ended with ANC MP and committee chairman Fikile Majola promising Joemat-Pettersson would be made to account next week for the poor plan produced.
MPs were furious the department sent its presentation only yesterday morning, leaving no time to prepare.
Furthermore, Joemat-Pettersson, who was told last week that she had to attend, informed Majola only on Monday that she was instead going to the DRC.
In his presentation, for which he later apologised, deputy DG Omphi Aphane said a third of South African power generation capability is lost to breakdowns at any given time.
He undertook that Eskom would in future do routine rather than “reactive” maintenance, and run power plants at full blast on diesel to plug the gap.
He also repeated plans to import gas, limit consumption and co-generate electricity with municipalities and the private sector. The lack of detail, economic data and new plans angered all MPs.
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