Gordhan: Load shedding 'not a national state of disaster'

Gordhan, alongside ministers from the economic cluster, appeared before the National Assembly on Wednesday to answer questions from MPs.

Concerns included the country's glaring energy crisis, with residents and businesses being plunged into darkness yet again this week.

Stage 2 load shedding is expected to persist until next week Monday.

While Gordhan admitted to MPs the power cuts were untenable, he pointed out that the rolling blackouts didn't meet the criteria of a disaster.

"The government has not considered a national state of disaster to respond to the energy challenges that we are facing in the Republic of South Africa,” he said.

"There should be a distinction made between a state of disaster just for dramatic effects as compared to power system emergency."

Gordhan defended the power utility's management amid an onslaught of calls for them to resign.

"As far as skills in Eskom is concerned, Eskom has the basic skills in generation, redistribution and transmission but it can certainly do with more skills in relation to generation expertise and experience.

"That is a matter that the CEO [Andre de Ruyter]," Gordhan added.

Gordhan also told MPs to consider the utility's historical woes, including the implication of state capture.

Part 4 of the commission of inquiry into state capture's report was recently released, placing the blame for Eskom's collapse squarely on the shoulders of former executives Matshela Koko, Brian Molefe and Anoj Singh.

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