Cape Argus E-dition

Energy crisis a dent to Ramaphosa, ANC’s image, say analysts

SAMKELO MTSHALI samkelo.thulasizwe@inl.co.za

THE ongoing energy crisis in the wake of the failure by Eskom’s generation units to provide the necessary power to keep the lights on could see President Cyril Ramaphosa and the ANC suffering another dent to their image.

This was the warning from political analysts as the energy crisis at the power utility moved into its second week.

Ramaphosa had to cut short his trip abroad where he had bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden before heading to the UK for the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Professor Bheki Mngomezulu from UWC said that Ramaphosa’s move was unnecessary as he had travelled abroad for his American and UK rendezvous while the country was plunged into darkness.

With Ramaphosa already facing a backlash over the Phala Phala farm scandal, which has seen opposition political parties calling for his resignation, Mngomezulu said his handling of the Eskom crisis had further dented his political image.

“The reason provided for him cutting his trip short was not satisfactory. That was not the main reason because the electricity crisis didn’t start when the president was in the US. He left the problem already in place and he failed to address it,” Mngomezulu said.

Ramaphosa had been scheduled to fly out from the UK after the Queen’s funeral to the UN forum in New York but that trip was cancelled as increasing pressure saw him head home instead to deal with South Africa’s worsening energy crisis.

Mngomezulu said Ramaphosa had promised to deal with corruption decisively, yet he now found himself in a corruption scandal over Phala Phala while several other national crises were happening under his watch. This did not augur well for his stature.

“There is an increased unemployment rate, a weak economy, consistent increase in petrol prices, these intermittent power cuts and crime. All of these things don’t paint a good picture and unfortunately it doesn’t look like there are plans in place to address these issues.

“All these issues have dented his political image and if ever he emerges at the ANC’s 55th national conference in December it will be for other reasons, not because he has performed well in his presidency,” Mngomezulu said.

Political analyst Ralph Mathekga said the Eskom crisis was damaging to both Ramaphosa and the ANC. The crisis was unfolding under the ANC-led government, with ANC ministers at the helm of various portfolios.

He said Ramaphosa’s early return from his overseas trip had no material value as it was for him to be seen to be close to the people during a major crisis.

“This is not something that you can just snap your fingers and get it resolved. When the people do not have power it is becoming increasingly frustrating, and this is an issue that I don’t think the government will be able to resolve immediately. When you move from Stage 4 to 5 and 6, it means it’s getting worse,” Mathekga said.

METRO

en-za

2022-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

2022-09-25T07:00:00.0000000Z

http://capeargus.pressreader.com/article/281719798452410

African News Agency