EXCLUSIVE: "We can solve the power crisis" - John Steenhuisen
DA leader John Steenhuisen spoke to Breakfast with Martin Bester about the current electricity crisis and the upcoming DA protest march.
The Democratic Alliance's federal leader, John Steenhuisen, joined Breakfast with Martin Bester on Tuesday to discuss the upcoming protest march the DA is organising.
"I can announce that the DA is organising a major protest march to the ANC headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on 25 January against the ANC-engineered electricity crisis. Stage 6 load shedding has taken away your power. It is time to take away the ANC’s," Tweeted Steenhuisen.
I can announce that the DA is organising a major protest march to the ANC headquarters at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on 25 January against the ANC-engineered electricity crisis. Stage 6 load shedding has taken away your power. It is time to take away the ANC’s.
— John Steenhuisen MP (@jsteenhuisen) January 14, 2023
The DA leader told Martin Bester that it is critical that the party goes to court about the power crisis and the 18% electricity tariff increase as this is "one of the only things the ANC will respond to".
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"The DA is trying to get things done; stage 6 load shedding and the 18% electricity price increase has been the last straw for many South Africans," he said.
Steenhuisen believes that if the country puts pressure on the ANC, the 18% power increase could be reversed.
He added that the problems Eskom is facing can not be solved by the government, as the entire model under which Eskom is managed is broken. He believes that the private sector might be the only saving grace for South Africa's power crisis.
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According to Steenhuisen, the DA wishes for the following outcomes from the march:
- Get politicians out of the way, especially Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe.
- To reverse the 18% electricity price increase.
- Promote the privatisation of power supply in South Africa.
"There is huge opportunity here for the private sector to produce [power] and stimulate economic growth."
Steenhuisen believes that "we can solve the power crisis" through the private sector.
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', weekdays from 06:00 - 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.