Mantashe’s powers haven’t been clipped – Ramaphosa

Gwede Mantashe

Cape Town – President Cyril Ramaphosa has dismissed claims that his decision to transfer some powers from Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe to Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is an attempt to curtail Mantashe’s authority.

Ramokgopa had been operating without executive powers since his appointment in March this year.

But this week Ramaphosa clarified the minister’s functions and powers and said that his primary responsibility was to address the ongoing issue of load shedding.

His tasks, the president said, included 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.

But speaking to the media on Saturday Ramaphosa clarified that he was merely fulfilling his constitutional duties by reallocating tasks. He denied suggestions that he had stripped Mantashe of his powers.

“There is no clipping of the wings of any minister, particularly the minister of mineral and energy. I must disabuse people on the notion that the wings of this minister have been clipped,” Ramaphosa said.

Ramokgopa can now determine the energy sources for electricity generation, a responsibility previously held by Mantashe.

Ramaphosa said that Ramokgopa’s focus is on addressing load shedding, while Mantashe concentrates on policy and renewable energy procurement.

The president defended the move, asserting that he was not limiting any minister’s influence.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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