IFP Welcomes Eskom Probe

MEDIA STATEMENT RELEASED BY:
MR HENNIE BEKKER MP
IFP SPOKESPERSON ON PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

May 4, 2007

The Inkatha Freedom Party's Spokesperson on Public Enterprises, Mr Hennie Bekker MP, today welcomed the Eskom probe, which will try to unravel the mystery surrounding the three day power outage in Bedfordview, East of Johannesburg, this week.

"We are stunned that Bedfordview was left without power for three days.  Eskom and the Ekurhuleni Municipality must own up as to who created this nightmare," said Mr Bekker.

"The IFP feels that the situation was totally unacceptable as businesses were unable to trade during the entire time. The power outage had an extremely negative effect on the economy of the area, affecting all categories of business.

"The energy uncertainty in South Africa cannot be allowed to continue and we are concerned by a National Energy Regulator (Nersa) report that only two of the 11 main power suppliers in the country are in top working order. All of the other nine stations need urgent attention.

"We believe that South Africa doesn't have any other alternative, but to support the views of South Africa's minister of public enterprises, Mr Alec Erwin, that Pebble Bed Modular Nuclear Reactors (PBMR) are the way to go. We must therefore call on the Minister to speed up the development and implementation of these reactors, so as to solve South Africa's electricity woes," concluded Mr Bekker.


FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Mr Hennie Bekker MP: 083 255 4520
Liezl van der Merwe: 083 611 7470