NUM’s view on the visits to Eskom power stations by the electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

Media Statement 27 March 2023

NUM’s view on the visits to Eskom power stations by the electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) Highveld Region regards the visits to power stations by the Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as long overdue and necessary.

As the NUM, we are hopeful that the visits are part of the Minister introducing himself to the workers. It is important that the Minister should spend time at those power stations because that is where the loadshedding problems are happening. 

Loadshedding is implemented as a result of the Power Stations that are not performing due to trips and half loads.

But as the NUM Highveld Region we are categorically and emphatically disagreeing with the Minister’s version that corruption in Eskom does not play any role towards the persisting loadshedding. 

The reasons behind the tripping of Units is because of the sub-standards spares that are being bought with prices that are colluded and ballooned. Most of the service providers in Eskom use more than one companies to bid for a contract, those companies are belonging to one individual, they are called cover quotes, that is where real corruption is happening in cahoots with some Eskom employees. 

Some of the spares are paid and never arrive at the Power Stations or are immediately removed from sites through corrupt activities. 

We were of the view that before the Minister could speak about corruption he would have dedicate his time by engaging with the NUM so that we can assist him in curbing naked corruption that is happening on a daily basis. 

The NUM want to equally applaud its members that are working tirelessly to try curb the loadshedding challenges. No citizen of this country must be subjected to continuous loadshedding. 

Lastly, we applaud the Eskom management for finally listening to us by removing the former General Manager of Tutuka power station. The General Manager was one of the many reasons the country was subjected to persistent loadshedding. The General Manager’s focus was on his personal safety as he was always obsessed with wearing bullet proof as opposed to generating electricity.

For more detailed information, please contact:

Malekutu Bizzah Motubatse, NUM Highveld Regional Chairperson, 082 264 6533

Thapelo Malekutu, NUM Highveld Regional Deputy Regional Secretary 063 601 9005

The National Union of Mineworkers
7 Rissik Street.
Cnr Frederick Johannesburg
Tel: 011 377 2111 Cell: 083 809 3257
Twitter: @Num_Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NUM/10086002340216