Presidency : Electricity minister's powers ‘clarified soon’
Cyril Ramaphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya says the president is busy finalising the powers and functions of the minister of electricity.
Ramaphosa named Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the minister of electricity during his cabinet reshuffle after his State of the Nation Address earlier this year.
Concerns have been mounting over the lack of clarity around the powers and functions of the minister, who is based in the presidency.
Ramaphosa has given an assurance that there will be no confusion or turf wars between Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and Ramokgopa, who all have different legislative functions to provide electricity.
Magwenya told the media on Wednesday that Ramokgopa has been hard at work getting to grips with the electricity problem and the possible solutions to the crisis.
He briefed the media in Cape Town on Ramaphosa's programme for the week.
"With respect to the powers and functions of the minister of electricity, the minister has been hard at work getting to the grid with the problem, its magnitude and various solutions that are currently underway through National Energy Crisis Committee and alternatives that can be explored.
“The minister has led very Important conversations and debates on what we need to consider as a country to tackle our energy crisis.
“He has also engaged a number of stakeholders soliciting inputs, as well as cooperation with the understanding that government alone cannot solve this crisis.
“The president is satisfied with the work the minister has managed to do thus far, there is a sense of speed and urgency across the board in the implementation of the energy action plan," said Magwenya.
He said Ramaphosa is finalising the matter of Ramokgopa's powers and functions.
"The issue of powers and functions are going to be resolved fairly soon and the president is attending to it, there are engagements taking president between the president and the minister as well as other ministers that have a role in the energy crisis.
“But it's not a matter that has disabled the minister from doing what he has been able to do thus far.”
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