BLACKOUTS: What the DA Proposes in our plan to keep the lights on:

What the DA proposes to be done about this crisis:

1. President Ramaphosa must address Parliament on the true nature of this crisis so that
   solutions can be urgently identified, and he must manage the crisis minute-by-minute. He
   cannot remain out of country right now. After sustained pressure from the DA, we welcome
   the fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa has returned home from his trip to Egypt in order to
   take control of this crisis. Now is not the time for dithering – we need action.
2. Parliament should reconvene immediately. I have written to the Speaker to reconvene
   Parliament right away.
3. Minister Mantashe should at once sign permissions for Independent Power Producers to
   provide extra electricity to the grid through qualifying municipalities, in terms of Section 34 of
   the Electricity Regulation Act. He has the power to do so with one signature, on a letter, as we
   have asked him to do for many years. Yet he is sitting on his hands as the crisis escalates.
4. If Mantashe will not do so, President Ramaphosa must instruct him to do so. We call on the
   President to do what is right, as this is a simple and quick solution to add electricity capacity.
5. The true nature of the structural problems at Eskom must be fully disclosed. Since 2014
   President Ramaphosa has been personally in charge of turning Eskom around. Since then, it
   has sunk deeper and deeper into ruin. Open cards are needed from the ANC National
   Government, followed by immediate action.

6. At the same time, the ANC National Government must alleviate the overwhelming demand
for electricity off of the failing Eskom and must allow Independent Power Producers to play a
major role in energy supply. This must include Renewable Energy sources in far greater
number, including wind, solar and hydro-electric power.Additionally, the DA proposes that:
a. Eskom must be able to procure coal from any and all sources, and not be contractually
bound to a small number of suppliers.
b. Eskom must be sold Diesel by PetroSA at a tax-free cost price.
c. All electricity consumers must be placed onto smart metres to collect electricity
revenue on time.
d. Eskom workers must be declared an essential service in the economy and barred from
going on strike.