Saturday, 22 February 2025.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes, with no surprise, the return of load shedding after nearly three weeks of what was falsely presented as an uninterrupted power supply. Eskom abruptly announced the implementation of Stage 3 load shedding this Saturday evening, following the earlier return of power cuts just three weeks ago, which were described by the Minister of Electricity as a mere ‘setback’.

The reality, however, is that this government has consistently failed to provide a steady and reliable supply of electricity, proving once again that they are incapable of solving South Africa’s energy crisis. It is evident that this supposed ‘load shedding-free’ period was nothing but a manufactured illusion to create a false sense of progress in energy stability. During this period, the government continued with load reductions, targeting marginalised and rural communities, showing that the majority of South Africans never truly benefited from the so-called uninterrupted electricity supply.

The EFF has long warned that this government has no real intention of resolving the electricity crisis. Instead, it is clear that they are paving the way for the eventual privatisation of the electricity sector, ensuring that South Africans will never have peace when it comes to energy security. They continue to fail in managing Eskom efficiently, while allowing independent power producers and private companies to dictate the future of energy supply in the country. This is a well-orchestrated scam aimed at enriching a few at the expense of the majority.

Despite their failure to supply electricity equitably, Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) have no shame in consistently approving exploitative tariff hikes. In September 2024, Eskom sought an outrageous 66% multiyear tariff escalation, with a proposed 36.15% increase for 2025 alone. Although NERSA reduced the request, it still approved a burdensome 24% increase, with a 12.7% scheduled for April this year, forcing South Africans to pay more for a service that remains unreliable.

This follows a cumulative 33.77% increase in 2023 and 2024, further burdening struggling households and businesses. It is unacceptable that the same government that fails to supply electricity without interruption has no hesitation in demanding more money from the people.

The EFF reaffirms that the resolution to South Africa’s energy crisis does not lie in increasing tariffs for an unreliable service or in privatising electricity supply. We demand an end to load shedding and load reductions, an equitable distribution of electricity across all communities, and a rejection of any attempt to privatise Eskom. Eskom should not even be a profit making entity but simply be playing a developmental role in our economy, ensuring that energy is sufficient to necessitate the running of our country.

The people of South Africa must not be held hostage by a corrupt and incompetent government that prioritises profit over the well-being of its citizens. We call on all sectors of society to reject these deceptive tactics and stand in opposition to the continued exploitation of our people.

ISSUED BY THE ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS

Leigh-Ann Mathys (National Spokesperson) 082 304 7572

Thato Lebyane (Media Enquiries) 078 304 7572