Presidency not obliged to provide electricity – Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated in his court papers that it is not his duty nor that of his executive to provide electricity, but rather that of local government structures.
Ramaphosa filed his responding papers in the Pretoria High Court in the matter brought by the United Democratic Movement (UDM), Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), and Action SA along with 15 other parties and organisations.
The parties and organisations have taken Ramaphosa to court over the rolling blackouts that have gripped the country since last year.
“The Constitution does not make provision for the President or the National Executive to intervene in local government affairs or when a municipality cannot or does not fulfil an executive obligation,” he states.
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“In the context of load shedding and if municipalities all over the Republic cannot or do not fulfil an executive obligation to supply electricity to the people, on the applicants’ version it would mean that the President ought to have intervened in municipal affairs “by taking any appropriate steps to ensure fulfilment of that obligation.
“But the President is not entitled to or obliged to do that in terms of the Constitution. In fact, the Constitution does not require the President to do that - it requires the President to respect the local sphere of government and where necessary the relevant provincial government and not the President, to take the necessary steps to ensure the fulfilment of the relevant obligation."
Presidency not obliged to provide electricity – Ramaphosa by sibahle motha on Scribd
