Mbete: No need for ad hoc committee on Eskom crisis

During a media briefing on Monday, DA leader Mmusi Maimane called for Parliament to be reconvened to deal with the crisis engulfing Eskom.

Maimane also demanded the establishment of an ad hoc committee to probe the country’s electricity problems.  

Parliament dissolved last week ahead of the elections in May general and has thus concluded its work.

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Parliament’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo says while Mbete agrees that the electricity crisis is a serious issue, here is already an existing portfolio committee that deals with state-owned entities.

"Existing portfolio committees were empowered to deal with the issues at Eskom. These included the portfolio committee on public enterprises, which conducted an extensive inquiry on Eskom in 2018.

"The relevant committees could, therefore, take up the matter if needed and there was no need for the National Assembly to be reconvened at this point. Even if an ad hoc committee was required, such would not require the House to reconvene.”

Mothapo said although the National Assembly has been dissolved the relevant committees, including ad hoc committees, could convene to discuss Eskom if needed.

"This did not require the National Assembly to meet first."