Eskom state of disaster, exemption withdrawn. What a U-turn

[View in browser]( [Mail & Guardian]( M&G Mornings | Thu 06 Apr   [Ozayr Patel] The load-shedding problem is crippling South Africa. The power utility, Eskom, continuously battles to keep the lights on. To deal with the bouts of load-shedding, the president announced an energy state of disaster in February. This was done in an attempt to get rid of obstacles that would stand in Eskom’s way while trying to solve the load-shedding trouble. On Tuesday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana exempted Eskom from reporting irregular expenditure in its annual financial reports to enable it to borrow money again. These decisions were not received well by South Africans. The government was lambasted by opposition parties, civil society groups and the public. Most people believed it would provide loopholes for corruption to continue. Sarah Smit reported that the concerns were that the exemption “would undermine oversight and give certain actors the power to make decisions that fly in the face of the public’s best interests”. On Wednesday, in separate announcements, the exemption and the energy state of disaster were withdrawn. It was an incredible U-turn after criticism from many fronts, public outcry and threats of court action from civil society groups such as the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse. In response, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Thembi Nkadimeng and Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa released a statement on how the state of disaster was necessary, saying it was a response to the negative effect of load-shedding on the economy and vulnerable sectors. Godongwana did acknowledge the outcry but said there was no intent to conceal corruption. The move was made to protect Eskom’s financial position and the fiscus, he said. Ozayr Patel | Climate & Environment Editor [@Ozayr8]( [SAFRICA-ELECTRICITY-NUCLEAR-ECONOMY-ENERGY]( Premium [Eskom U-turn on energy state of disaster and utility’s exemption]( The two interventions have received major blowback with critics accusing the government of undermining public oversight This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Articles labelled as Premium are only available to subscribers. [CLICK HERE]( to subscribe Already a subscriber? [SIGN IN HERE]( [Herbal remedy: Marijuana’s potential pain-relief qualities should be more comprehensively studied.]( Premium [Cannabis master plan on the rocks]( A lack of coherent approach by government departments has stalled the process of developing cannabis policy This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( [AV_00022583]( [Cholera: Sewage infrastructure failure worsens disease spread]( Three cases in Gauteng were imported or import-related from Malawi but the increasing number of locally acquired cases is raising concerns [// Read more]( Recommended Reads [How to silence the guns in Cabo Delgado]( A military intervention won’t end the conflict. A peacebuilding process including disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration, is needed [// Read more]( [Have coal industry workers been left in the dark?]( South Africa’s transition to renewable energy is challenged by a shortage of planning, skills development and training, an investigation by Oxpeckers finds [// Read more]( [With prayer, we seek peace for South Africa]( Creating a new civilisation based on the power of good and the culture of community is up to the passion and power of youth around the world [// Read more]( [Godongwana withdraws controversial Eskom exemption — for now]( The gazette, which exempted the utility from disclosing irregular expenditure in it financial statements, has been withdrawn pending talks with the auditor general [// Read more]( [Mkhwebane threatens impeachment inquiry]( Suspended public protector threatens litigation unless the section 194 inquiry postpones her testimony until funds are found to cover her legal fees This article is only available to subscribers. [View subscription options]( If you are already a subscriber, login here. [// Read more]( Pic of the day [Belfast] A peace mural is seen in a loyalist area on April 4, 2023 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Agreement, signed on April 10, 1998, ended most of the violence during the decades-long conflict known as The Troubles. The terrorism threat level in Northern Ireland has been raised from substantial to severe just days before a potential visit to the country by US President Joe Biden. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) [Share]( [Share]( [Tweet]( [Tweet]( [Forward]( [Forward]( This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( Mail & Guardian Media LTD · 25 Owl St · Braamfontein · Johannesburg, Gauteng 2001 · South Africa