COMMENT: Eskom keeps us in the dark

AS South Africans prepare to return from the festive season holidays and many companies prepare to reopen for business in the upcoming week, the state of South Africa's energy supply remains largely unknown.

What we know for sure is that the power utility Eskom has said that we could expect rolling blackouts over the next few months.

We have yet to be informed as to whether or not Eskom met the 24 December 2014 initial switch on deadline for unit 6 at the Medupi power station and, if not, when we can expect this initial turn on to take place?

We have yet to be informed exactly what maintenance, if any, was undertaken during the low-peak period. Media reports indicate that not enough maintenance was done during this period and, in fact, the Majuba power station is currently running at only 50% capacity.

We received notice that Eskom would grant the DA access to the Majuba power station maintenance records. But the only records available are from 2011 to 2014.

The power utility and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa must issue a direct and frank statement to the South African public and let us know exactly what the current state of affairs is, and what we can expect when the majority of South Africans return to normal business.

Natasha Michael, DA MP,  email