Minister in the presidency Mondli Gungubele is tight-lipped on when and who President Cyril Ramaphosa will appoint as the minister of electricity. Gungubele was briefing the media on the outcomes of the cabinet meeting on Thursday.

CABINET RESHUFFLE

As the country waits in anticipation for the appointment of the minister of electricity as promised by the president during his State of the Nation address last month, nothing much is being said on the matter. Gungubele said the president has acknowledged the need to close the gaps. "The president has made the undertaking to appoint the Minister of Electricity. Naturally, once he acknowledges the gap and he makes an undertaking, that job will be done. But the date and time is for the president." he said.

LOADSHEDDING 

Gungubele saId when it comes to energy, the cabinet understands the frustration of citizens and businesses over the disruption and inconvenience caused by persistent loadshedding. "The commitment from the state of the national address strengthens the capability of the state to fast-track interventions outlining the energy action plan. The recently published state of disaster regulations by the Minister of co-operative governance and traditional affairs allows the government to respond more effectively and with the necessary pace to deal with severe electricity supply constraints. Moreover, it ensures transparency and accountability by enabling departments to guide their sectors. Regular progress updates will be provided. We have a special briefing on this tomorrow," he said. He added that the debt relief fund of R254 billion subject to strict conditions will relieve extreme pressure from Eskom and enable it to undertake necessary investment and maintenance.

CORRUPTION

He said the anti-corruption space cabinet joined the president in his call for  Eskom former CEO Andre de Ruyter to report corruption allegations to the police. " Our crime fighting institutions are ready to arrest and prosecute those who break the law. We call upon anyone with information related to crime and corruption to report what they know to the relevant law enforcement authorities. We are all duty bound to fight corruption and to the prescriptions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, which requires people in ?positions of authority' in the public and private sectors to report all corrupt activities." On Tuesday, President Ramaphosa asked former Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter to report the alleged corruption at the struggling power utility to law enforcement agencies.