Summons proceedings considered as Ramakgopa ducks briefing for fourth time
29 August 2023
The Western Cape Ad-Hoc Committee on Energy today voted to suspend proceedings as national Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramakgopa once again failed to attend a vital briefing at which he had been scheduled to give evidence before the committee on measures to mitigate the energy crisis in the Western Cape. This morning’s briefing had been rescheduled multiple times to accommodate the Minister’s schedule over the last two months, and this latest postponement represents the fourth time the Minister has failed to attend a briefing which was arranged specifically for him to discuss his attempts at resolving the energy crisis.
Members of the committee expressed disappointment and anger at what appears to be a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability. Members of the DA were joined by multiple opposition parties in condemning the Minister’s behaviour, with even some ANC members expressing their disappointment. Several members demanded that the Minister receive an official summons compelling him to appear. The committee ultimately voted to postpone the meeting, demand an urgent meeting of the Committee with the Minister, and failing this, to formally pursue the issuing of a formal summons.
The energy crisis continues to ravage the provincial economy, along with that of the rest of South Africa. The presentation submitted by the Minister’s office – which ultimately went unpresented – indicates that as many as 859 000 jobs could be affected as a result of loadshedding in 2023. While the provincial government has taken steps to exceed its mandate and solve the energy crisis independently, national government remains a key stakeholder, and the Minister’s refusal to explain his actions spits in the face of every resident of the Western Cape.
DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Energy, MPP Christopher Fry says: “Minister Ramakgopa’s efforts to duck accountability cannot be allowed to continue. The people of the Western Cape have a right to know what national government is doing to resolve the energy crisis, and the Minister must be held to account if his efforts are not sufficient. This situation of endless postponements cannot be allowed to stand, and the DA will now investigate the possibility of a summons against the Minister should he fail to attend the Committee’s urgent meeting request, which will compel him to explain exactly what progress – or lack thereof – he has made in resolving ANC-sponsored loadshedding for good."
Issued by Christopher Fry, DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Energy, 29 August 2023
