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Today, the Western Cape Provincial Parliament’s Ad Hoc Committee on the Energy Crisis convened its first meeting to plan the way forward for the committee’s oversight of the provincial government’s response to the country’s ongoing energy woes.

The Committee has today resolved to invite Premier Alan Winde, the Special Advisor on Energy to the Premier, Alwie Lester, as well as the newly appointed national Minister of Electricity, Sputla Ramokgopa, to:

Give an overview of the current status of the energy crisis in South Africa and the Western Cape;

Outline their plans to mitigate the impact of rolling blackouts on the province; and

Provide an update on the Provincial Government’s plans to make the Western Cape the first load shedding free province.

In light of the National State of Disaster to respond to the current energy crisis, as well as the R1.1 billon that the provincial government allocated towards giving residents their power back – oversight and accountability is paramount.

Premier Winde has previously committed himself, his executive and the provincial Energy Council to account before the Ad Hoc Committee and we trust that, in the interest of cooperation and accountability, the Minister of Electricity will accept the invitation from the Ad Hoc Committee.

The Ad Hoc Committee will over the coming months engage with key stakeholders across all spheres of government, civil society, communities, labour and the private sector to identify the challenges imposed by the energy crisis and to work towards meaningful solutions to make the Western Cape a load shedding free province.

Issued by Christopher Fry MPP - DA Western Cape Spokesperson on Energy