ACDP Tshwane

The following "media release" concerning the South African energy/power crisis was released:

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*ATTENTION NEWS EDITOR*
ACDP MEDIA RELEASE
BY REV KENNETH MESHOE, MP;
PRESIDENT, AFRICAN CHRISTIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY 29th January 2008
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ACDP says Irwin and Eskom CEOs must resign * Government must end Eskom’s monopoly and subsidise paraffin and gas.
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Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP says the top officials responsible for the energy crisis must go.

“The Minister of Public Enterprise, Alec Irwin, must take full responsibility for the current electricity crisis and do the honourable thing by resigning for failing in his duties which includes ensuring that Eskom has sufficient reserves to meet the increased demand for power.

The former Eskom CEO and the encumbent must join the Minister and resign for failing to take the public into their confidence when government did not heed their warnings.

While we are told that government and Eskom are doing all they can to alleviate the power crisis; they must find ways to stimulate economic growth and ensure that the gains made since democracy will not be lost.

Government should not make the poor and vulnerable suffer for their shortsightedness; they must be prepared to subsidise paraffin and gas that is used in the blackouts because they refused to act when they were warned about the looming crisis ten years ago. Eskom bonuses at this time would be scandalous, immoral and insensitive as businesses and individuals are losing millions every day.

The ACDP believes now is the time for government to end Eskom’s monopoly and encourage the private sector to help provide alternative sources of power to alleviate the current crisis. We believe that such competition would bring down the cost of power, and give consumers the choice of where to buy electricity.

The claim by the ANC President to the international community that the power cuts are a result of unintended consequences of economic growth is laughable and a feeble attempt to manipulate truth and hide government’s irresponsibility in this matter.”
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For more information please contact:
Rev Kenneth Meshoe, MP and President of the ACDP: 082 962 5884

Released by Ms. Libby Norton, Parliamentary Media Attaché, ACDP Tel 021 40 333 07 or 07 25 70 6361