Natasha Mazzone

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA), along with all South Africans suffering from rolling blackouts, were dumbstruck by the presentation from the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, in the Public Enterprises Committee Gordhan announced that Eskom is “technically insolvent” and would “cease to exist” beyond April 2019, he confirmed our worst fears by saying that a government bailout is required to save Eskom. This bailout is certain to be truly massive and may even dwarf the … [Read more...] about About that Massive Eskom Bombshell from Gordhan

Dear MyPE President Ramaphosa’s ‘shock… worry… [and] disturbance’ over degenerating power cuts in South Africa is a sober reminder that the President is not in charge of his government. It is time Ramaphosa stands up to his allies, takes action, and offers the country a workable solution to what is now a national power crisis. There is no time for delay. The time for the DA’s request for an urgent debate of national importance on the Eskom crisis is now. We implore the Speaker of the … [Read more...] about “Shock and Worry” won’t switch South Africa’s lights on

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) has this morning picketed outside the Nersa Public Hearings in Soweto and handed in a submission opposing Eskom’s request for a nearly 50% tariff increase application over three years. The cost of living for the poor will be unbearable should this proposed electricity price hike proceed. On top of this, small businesses will suffer as input costs will soar through these electricity price increases, putting pressure on their profitability and … [Read more...] about NERSA tariff increases will impose an unbearable burden on the poor

Dear MyPE Today, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Team One SA Spokesperson on State Capture, Natasha Mazzone MP, will be laying criminal charges against Environmental Affairs Minister Mokonyane at the Parkview Police Station, following the testimony of former Bosasa COO, Angelo Agrizzi, at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture this past week. In his testimony, Agrizzi revealed under oath that over a span of several years Minister Mokonyane allegedly received an amount totalling … [Read more...] about #Bosasagate: DA to lay charges against Nomvula Mokonyane for electioneering with the proceeds of crime

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on President Cyril Ramaphosa to suspend Environmental Affairs Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, with immediate effect following the damning allegations levelled against her at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture this past week. In his testimony, former Bosasa COO, Angelo Agrizzi, revealed under oath that over a span of several years Minister Mokonyane allegedly received an amount totalling to R50 000, on a monthly basis from the … [Read more...] about #Bosasagate: Ramaphosa should suspend Mokonyane with immediate effect

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance will be submitting a complaint to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) following more jaw-dropping revelations at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture. Former Bosasa COO, Angelo Agrizzi, today revealed under oath that senior ANC officials requested cash from the company to be used for election campaigning. Agrizzi testified that he had attended a meeting in Rustenburg where he met with the MEC for Social Development from the ANC-run … [Read more...] about #Bosasagate: DA to report ANC election payments to IEC

Dear MyPE The National Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has kicked off its nationwide public hearings on Eskom’s request for a yearly 15% tariff increase over the next three years. These increases will no doubt have devastating consequences on ordinary South Africans, considering the unaffordable cost of living under Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC, and the increased number of unemployed people in South Africa. To add insult to injury, there is still a possibility that South Africa will once … [Read more...] about Eskom on the verge of collapse

Dear MyPE DA Spokesperson on State Capture, Natasha Mazzone MP, and DA Deputy Provincial Chairperson and Member of the Economic Development Committee on the Johannesburg City Council, Councillor Bongani Nkomo, engaged with local business owners in the area, to understand the impact of Eskom’s power outages on South African entrepreneurs. “We interacted with great South Africans, who took it upon themselves to start their own businesses in order to provide for their families. They are all … [Read more...] about Small Businesses Close Doors as Power Fails

Dear MyPE On Sunday, Eskom was forced to implement emergency stage one load shedding following the revelation that five of its coal power stations have less than 10 days of coal supply left. These outages are proof that South Africa desperately needs a long-term solution to reshape the entire energy sector. Eskom is in complete crisis mode. The utility is now looking to spend R1 billion on diesel over the next four months to fill the gap and keep the lights on. This is … [Read more...] about Eskom’s monopoly plunges SA into load shedding

Dear MyPE The confirmation that stage 1 load shedding would be implemented this evening [14 June] is disturbing, to say the least. This is despite repeated assurances, just last month, from Eskom that this would not be necessary as the entity had put in place their “winter readiness plan”. Clearly, the plan has failed. Eskom must urgently brief the public and detail exactly why load shedding has become necessary tonight, what acts of sabotage have occurred and where, and if load shedding … [Read more...] about SA still suffering the consequences of the ANC’s State Capture

Dear MyPE The DA welcomes the announcement today that Werksmans has been hired as an external firm to probe allegations of widespread corruption at Transnet. Importantly, the DA is concerned that a recent Transnet tender, given its size - comparable to the arms deal - would be very vulnerable to corruption given the depth of corruption which has already been exposed at Transnet. A Request for Proposal (RFP) that was issued by Transnet for “the development and implementation of a holistic … [Read more...] about Transnet must shed light on tender to manage R40 billion property portfolio

Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance notes with serious concern that Eskom has received a corporate credit downgrade from BB to BB+ by ratings agency Standard and Poor. The downgrade is a vote of no confidence in Eskom and its leadership specifically and in the relatively weak corporate governance of State-owned Entities in South Africa. This will only serve to place further pressure on the fiscus due to the R350 billion in Government Guarantees that has been extended to Eskom. This is … [Read more...] about Eskom’s downgrade places South Africa at risk