Deputy Speaker, flashback 2001, Eskom is named power company of the year at the Financial Times Global Energy Awards in New York. All of its 78 production units at the time were considered to be in good working condition. Today, just 18 years later, it is nothing short of a catastrophe. Eskom remains a veritable sword of Damocles hanging precariously over this country. To say that it is only dysfunctional would be a compliment.
When Eskom is not crippling the economy with rolling blackouts, it is extorting money from the citizenry with absurd electricity supply price increases. In short, Eskom holds South Africa hostage.
Now, besides Eskom's legendary maladministration, tender corruption and general lack of any sense of sound business practice, it also remains widely overstaffed - 32 000 in 2007 to 48 000 in 2018 with an associated cost
growing from 9,5 billion to 29,5 billion. Reportedly, it remunerates its staff at a level four times higher than the global average. It is no wonder they are perennially at Parliament or at Nersa with their begging bowls for additional taxpayer-funded relief. Hon Minister, with regard to that question, is the increase in human resources consistent with an increase in productivity?
Maintenance and plant renovations are a disaster. If our new coal-powered stations, which by the way will be two of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in South Africa, are online by 2025, it will be a miracle. I would request the Minister to inform this House that as of today's date how overbudgeted these two power stations currently are.
On the question of illegal free connections, it's not only the cost but it's also the cost of lives. Last week a three-year-old young child was electrocuted in my area because of illegal connections. What is government doing about it? What are law enforcement agencies doing about it?
Is there a silver bullet that will miraculously correct the multiple and continuing failures at Eskom? No! We do, however, trust that Eskom itself will now under its own directive of the board take immediate steps, which includes legal action to collect the debts owed to Eskom by looters, including former staff.
Lastly, for the sake of political expediency, let us not sacrifice the country. We need to get Eskom working, even if it means getting rid of staff. We have to get rid of staff that are excess in numbers. Let us all put the country first because without electricity there is no economy in South Africa. Thank you.