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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Mr Sahlulele Luzipo, has welcomed the scaling up of security at four Eskom power stations, namely: Majuba, Camden, Grootvlei, and Tutuka. 

Mr Luzipo understands that the South African National Defence Force has deployed a minimum of ten of its members at each of these power stations. 

He also understands that this move comes hot on the heels of a successful raid of an illegal coal yard by multi-disciplinary law enforcement agencies in Emalahleni, in Mpumalanga. 

According to media reports, more than 16 people were arrested and trucks as well as documents were seized as a result of the raid. 

In welcoming these developments Mr Luzipo said: “The committee has always held a firm view that the country’s electricity crisis is caused by Eskom’s inability to deal with maintenance of ageing power stations and internal sabotage as opposed to a policy failure. We now feel exonerated,” said Mr Luzipo. 

Lastly, he said that talks about stabilising the country’s electricity should be about coming up with technological mechanisms to detect early signs of criminality and sabotage, considering that the deployment of the army alone is not a sustainable solution.

Issued by the Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Mineral Resources and Energy, Sahlulele Luzipo