BuaNews (Tshwane)
16 January 2008
Pretoria — The Public Protector has requested Eskom to provide detailed information on the causes of the lack of electricity in the country, as the body is considering investigating the matter.
The Public Protector will also check on whether measures were put in place by Eskom to prevent the situation, which has seen regular "load shedding" or power cuts to businesses and homes across the country.
Public Protector Lawrence Mushwana, in a letter to Eskom's CEO Jacob Maroga on Wednesday said he had noted with concern the current load shedding practice was having a devastating impact on the lives of South Africans on a daily basis.
The electricity cuts were also affecting service delivery by government entities and causing serious prejudice to the private sector, he said.
The Public Protector requested detailed information on the reasons for Eskom having to resort to load shedding and the measures that were put in place by Eskom to prevent the current situation that causes the load shedding.
Eskom has also been asked to answer questions on the expected duration of the load shedding practice, the steps they have taken to prevent a recurrence of it and what steps they intend taking to compensate those that have suffered damages and/or inconvenience as a result of the load shedding.
The Public Protector, would also like to know what steps were taken by Eskom to ensure that emergency centres, such as hospitals and police stations are not affected by the load shedding.
The steps taken by Eskom to inform the public of these matters would also like to be made known.
The Public Protector was appointed by the President, on the recommendation of the National Assembly, in terms of the Constitution.
It receives and investigates complaints from the public against government agencies or officials, and has the power to recommend corrective action and to issue reports.
On Wednesday, the electricity utility warned that consumers should expect power cuts and load shedding to continue. Several load shedding exercises are expected countrywide for the rest of the week.
Power cut schedules may be found on the Eskom or municipality websites.
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