Tebogo Msimanga |
The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) says it condemns the reckless decision by Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is refusing to comply with the judgment of the North Gauteng High Court. The UDM, NUMSA, HAITU and several other applicants, (18 in total), lodged an urgent high court application requesting the court to order the state to exempt critical sectors of the economy, namely, public schools, health care facilities and police stations, from load-shedding. The high court granted the order stating that the ministry must take all ‘reasonable steps’ to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of electricity for these sectors.
NUMSA spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola said they reject the immoral appeal by the government of Cyril Ramaphosa. “It is time for the entire country to reject the incompetence and callousness of the national government, which has placed the collective being and future of the country in jeopardy”.
Hlubi Majola added that as noted by the senior counsel for the applicants during the hearing, load-shedding is not an act of God. It has been caused by the state. The court order simply instructs the government of Ramaphosa to stop its constitutional delinquency and to comply with the basic law of the country.
“When President Zuma was removed as President because of his numerous breaches of the law, there were some who were optimistic that the “new dawn” would bring about respect to the constitution. But this has proven to be a false dawn because the culture of constitutional delinquency has persisted”.
NUMSA demands demand the immediate implementation of the judgment, and for the government to be compelled to do its job under the Constitution. “The government of Cyril Ramaphosa has consistently refused to take any responsibility for the rolling blackout which are crippling the economy, and killing patients”.
