Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has clarified the functions and powers of the recently appointed Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa.
Ramokgopa has been operating without executive powers since his appointment in March this year.
The minister’s primary responsibility is to address the ongoing issue of load shedding, where the country experiences power outages for up to 12 hours a day.
His tasks include procuring new generation capacity, ensuring a secure supply of electricity, and developing a transmission expansion plan to meet anticipated demand.
Previously, these responsibilities belonged to the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa has transferred to the minister of electricity all powers and functions contained in sections 34(1) of the Electricity Regulation Act, which were previously entrusted to the Minister of Minerals and Energy.
“The president has also transferred to the minister of electricity relevant powers and functions set out in section 34(2) of the Electricity Regulation Act. Section 34 of the Act, deals with new generation capacity,” Presidency Spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said in a statement on Friday.
[Statement] President Cyril Ramaphosa sets out role and responsibilities of the Minister of Electricity Dr @Kgosientsho_R Ramokgopa https://t.co/zHFnGJys9k pic.twitter.com/cGFcR4Sb4v
— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) May 26, 2023
The development allows Ramokgopa, in consultation with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), to determine the required generation capacity and energy sources for uninterrupted electricity supply.
The president has also delegated additional powers to the electricity minister, enabling him to determine the manner in which electricity is produced.
Ramokgopa will collaborate with the Eskom board and management to end load shedding and implement the Energy Action Plan.
The clarification of powers aims to ensure effective coordination and focused efforts to address the electricity crisis promptly.
Previous reports suggested that Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Mantashe refused to hand over some of their responsibilities to Minister of Electricity, Ramokgopa, in order for him to execute his duties, EWN reported.
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Picture: Twitter/@Kgosientsho_R
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
