Govt again dismisses suggestions Eskom keeping lights on by burning diesel

CAPE TOWN - Government has again dismissed suggestions that Eskom is keeping the lights on by burning diesel.

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni also told a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday that promises to bring an end to load shedding were not just an election ploy.

Ntshavheni said the country would soon be marking 150 days without load shedding on Saturday, saying this was owed to the various measures put in place by Eskom and government.

Thursday marks 148 days of no load shedding and Ntshavheni said it's because of efforts by Eskom and the government and no other reason.

She said the sixth administration was serious when it said it would put an end to load shedding soon.

"The sixth administration was accused of going on a diesel spend because we were trying to campaign for the elections. And this 148 days, and on track for 150 days, without load shedding demonstrate that it was never a ruse and we have not been burning diesel."

She also said Cabinet welcomed the signing of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act set to reform South Africa’s electricity sector.

"The amendments enhance energy security by drawing in more participants into energy production."

She said the country’s energy security has also been further strengthened by an additional 2,500 megawatts to be fed into the grid in September.