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Eskom’s announcement of an explosion at unit 4 at Medupi power station which resulted in unit 5 to trip is a cause for major concern.

This comes shortly after Eskom’s announcement – with much fanfare – that all units at the power station were finally – 14 years late and massively overbudget – onstream.

The DA asked then for full transparency and highlighted the need for ongoing fixes to the shoddy build to be costed and effected and now we are faced yet again with a major setback.

The consequences for loadshedding need to be made plain and a full statement on the state of Medupi (and other key stations) must be made.

Furthermore, the cause of the explosion needs to be determined forthwith and shared with citizens who live in fear of further loadshedding; are concerned about Eskom’s ability to secure much needed supply; and are in the dark about whether this recent explosion is part of a strategy of sabotage on the nation’s key areas of infrastructure.

Minister Gordhan, the Presidency (under which state security has now been centralized) and the CEO of Eskom must take the nation into their confidence – much is at stake here.

Issued by DA