SA FAILS TO AVERT ZIMBABWE STYLE LOAD-SHEDDING

Eskom and Treasury at odds over diesel funds as load shedding crisis deepens

As chronic load shedding continues indefinitely, a behind-the-scenes dispute has broken out between National Treasury and Eskom over where the money should come from to buy more diesel. 

The only immediate way to reduce load shedding is for Eskom to burn diesel to power its open-cycle gas turbines. All other possible solutions to reduce load shedding have a longer lead time of at least 18 months to two years. 

In meetings with political parties, organised labour and business on Monday, chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa, the key message from the Eskom board and management was that load shedding is here to stay for the next two years.