Deliberate power cuts are not normal, South African Movement leader Mmusi Maimane said, taking on President Cyril Ramaphosa.
Maimane said this as the country is experiencing its most difficult week of load shedding since the start of 2023.
Maimane shared a clip on Twitter of JJ Tabane on eNCA commenting on President Ramaphosa’s comments on load shedding.
Ramaphosa said: “the things we are talking about are making sure we don’t have any more burdens. That is what we have achieved.”
Ramaphosa “lied” about shedding the burden?
However, the laughing Thabane was having none of it.
“You know Cyril Ramaphosa, I have a lot of time for him as you know now, but he can lie to you with a straight face. He can lie to you with a straight nose.”
Maimane said the current loadshedding is unacceptable.
“South Africans are experiencing 10 hours or more of heavy lifting today. This is not normal and it is not good governance.
Also read: Eskom imposes phase 6 load shedding until further notice
South Africa is miserable
Maimane isn’t the only attacker in stage 6 to shed the burden now.
Journalist Ferial Haffajee also questioned the deliberate power outage.
“Question: how do you manage the Stage 6 load-down? Everyone’s nerves are gone – you can feel it. Poor country dear,” he tweeted.
Professor Jonathan Jansen says he’s relieved enough of the burden.
“Yes Mr. President here again in Stage 6 but why do you and your cabinet care? You are guaranteed. I promise, we will vote you out of power (sic) once and for all. No care, no one is going to live this bad life according to mismanaging you.
Social cohesion activist Yusuf Abramjee tweeted that he hoped Ramaphosa would reshuffle his cabinet to save South Africa.
“I hope that with the reshuffle, President Cyril Ramaphosa will get rid of the dead wood in his cabinet and appoint dynamic Ministers who are hard-working, corruption-free and dedicated to serving our country.”
Eliminate the burden
Ailing state-owned entity Eskom is struggling to keep South Africa powered as the blackouts continue without reprieve.
The parastatal has so far recorded the highest number of unit failures in power plants.
Increase in electricity prices
Eskom said on Wednesday the breakdown of eleven units has been forced to impose load shedding phase 6 in the evening until further notice.
Phase 4 will continue to be implemented from 5 am to 4 pm daily.
Meanwhile, there could be more bad news for cash-strapped South Africans with a 32% rise in electricity prices on the cards.
This comes amid South Africa’s National Energy Regulator’s (Nersa’s) announcement of the amount that will allow Eskom to increase electricity prices for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years.
Also read: More bad news as huge electricity prices are on the cards for SA