While rolling blackouts have stopped, for the time being, we should start preparing ourselves to pay as much as 20% more for electricity, reports The Citizen. (Subscribe to read)
Understanding just how the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) determines electricity rate hikes is another task entirely.
“… the complex and arcane methodology used by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to evaluate electricity tariff increases is beyond the mental capacity of most South Africans,” writes The Citizen in its editorial.
The rot at Eskom runs deep and wadding through the dirty waters to find the culprits of its demise is a difficult and time-consuming process. Though the Guptas, former chief executive Brian Molefe and Jacob Zuma might have some answers considering Eskom’s debt was around R40 billion when the former president entered office and ballooned to R440 billion when he exited the Union Buildings.
Tim Cohen tries to make sense of who is responsible for the decay at the national electricity provider in his latest column for Daily Maverick.
Cohen recently took to Twitter to give his opinion on the recent calls from the Black Business Council for Eskom chief executive André de Ruyter to step down due to ongoing power cuts. What followed was an “unmitigated frenzy” as Cohen put it.
Last week De Ruyter said Eskom was the victim of outright sabotage when evidence was found that a tie meant to support a pylon at the Lethabo Power Station, near Vereeniging, was cut, which caused electricity disruption.
News24 editor Adriaan Basson asks just who is responsible for the ongoing sabotage at the power utility and gives it his best guess. (Subscribe to read)
Here’s a roundup of interesting opinions, analysis, and editorials:
Municipal Elections
Ralph Mathekga | Stranger things: DA accepts some help from the EFF to claim Joburg, Ekurhuleni – News24 (Subscribe to read)
Arrogant DA self-defeating – The Citizen (Subscribe to read)
FIRST TAKE | A day of political earthquakes that will shape the future of our cities – News24 (Subscribe to read)
Other
TOM EATON | If Ramaphosa’s playing a long game, he’s playing it all by himself – Sunday Times Daily (Register to read)
Khaya Sithole | Zuma tax case: We pay up to avoid penalties, not thanks to confidentiality – Fin24 (Subscribe to read)
SARAH BUITENDACH: There’s no place like a R150m home – Financial Mail
SA’s climate-finance deal: opportunity or trap? – New Frame
