PHUTI MOSOMANE
THE National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have condemned Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan for appealing the high court judgment that ordered the state to exempt critical sectors of the economy, such as public schools, health care facilities, and police stations, from load shedding.
The high court granted an order on Friday, stating that the ministry must take all “reasonable steps” to ensure that there is sufficient supply of electricity for these sectors.
Gordhan’s appeal against the judgment is seen by NUMSA as a ‘reckless’ decision and a refusal to comply with the court’s ruling.
According to NUMSA, the court’s decision simply requires the state to fulfil its constitutional duty to ensure access to health care, security, and education.
“Now the state has elected not to comply, but instead, it is going to waste taxpayer money on frivolous appeals. If there are any more deaths, as a result of this ruling, or if children are denied education, and unsolved crimes, it will be because of the selfish actions of minister Gordhan and the ANC led government.”
“We reject the immoral appeal by the government of Cyril Ramaphosa. It is time for the entire country to reject the incompetence and callousness of the national government, which has placed the collective being and future of the country in jeopardy,” Irvin Jim, NUMSA General Secretary said.
Jim said when former President Jacob Zuma was removed as a head of state because of his numerous breaches of the law, there were some who were optimistic that the “new dawn” would bring about the respect to the constitution.
But this has proven to be a ‘false dawn’ because the culture of constitutional delinquency has persisted.
“We demand the immediate implementation of the judgment, and for the government to be compelled to do its job under the Constitution. The government of Cyril Ramaphosa has consistently refused to take any responsibility for the rolling blackouts which are crippling the economy, and killing patients,” he said.
Jim added that the situation worsened when the government ignored NUMSA’s warning to do proper maintenance of coal fired power stations.
“We are sitting in the dark, paying more for electricity because the government took the senseless decision to privatise energy generation through the useless IPP’s, and to prematurely shut down coal fired power stations,” he said.
The EFF has also condemned Gordhan for appealing the judgment, saying that it is a “callous and inhumane decision”.
“To oppose such a legally sound, ethical and human judgment is pure arrogance, constitutional delinquency and a reaffirmation of the disregard the ruling party has for ordinary people and the poor,” EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said.
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