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Gauteng residents continue to be at the mercy of a state entity that is failing to provide a reliable supply of electricity.

For months now, residents across the country have been faced with ongoing rolling blackouts. To add further insult to injury energy experts have warned residents to brace for stage 10 load-shedding.
This will have a negative impact on the economic hub of the country. The unemployment rate in the province will increase particularly amongst our youth..

Businesses may be forced to close their doors as they cannot operate a profitable business without a constant supply of electricity and in some instances water.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has been asking Premier Panyaza Lesufi to outline the plans in place to mitigate the effect of load-shedding on residents in this province. However, we have not been given satisfactory answers regarding the feasibility of hydroelectricity.

Furthermore, load-shedding also negatively impacts the supply of water to our residents as well as the sewage system.

The DA has already tabled questions to the Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel, in the National Assembly regarding the number of jobs lost due to load-shedding in the province. Our residents deserve a government that is committed to ensuring that the wheels of our economy keep turning. Load-shedding is not a new problem but one that reared its ugly head in 2007. Since then, the situation has just gotten worse.

A DA government would ensure that Independent Power Producers (IPP) are brought in as a matter of urgency. In addition, municipalities will be given the support needed to ensure that our ailing electrical and water infrastructure is maintained on an ongoing basis to ensure that residents are not left without power and water for longer than needed once electricity has been restored.

Issued by Patrick Atkinson MPL - DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Finance