Load shedding is, unfortunately, yet another symptom of public administration coming apart, according to Adv Johan Kruger, director at the Centre for Constitutional Rights (CFCR).<\/p>\n
“Eskom is years behind and over budget in maintaining the power grid, making “load shedding” as common as braaivleis on a Saturday, yet Eskom executives are receiving million-Rand bonuses and the public is being kept in the dark about the real reasons for Eskom’s state of affairs,” Adv Kruger said.<\/p>\n
The CFCR highlighted the poor state of other state entities including South African Airways (SAA), the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), and the South African Post Office (SAPO).<\/p>\n
“Almost every public enterprise has been marred by some or other governance or management ignominy and there are many reasons for these well-reported failures,” Adv Kruger said.<\/p>\n
At the core of the problem is the failure to adhere to the Constitution’s “10-point plan” for public administration.<\/p>\n
In terms of section 195(1) of the Constitution, public administration must be governed by the democratic values and principles enshrined in the Constitution, includding the following principles:<\/p>\n
“These basic values and principles governing public administration are not optional, but a constitutional requirement,” Adv Kruger stressed.<\/p>\n
He said that the first problem appears to be that the government does not seem to view public enterprises as part of public administration.<\/p>\n
An additional issue relates to the appointment of board members of public enterprises, who it would seem are composed of deployees and ministerial buddies who have little or no experience.<\/p>\n
“Even a cursory look at the boards of public enterprises reveals justified reason for concern,” the advocate said.<\/p>\n
The third problem appears to be political meddling in day-to-day operations of public enterprises, he said.<\/p>\n
Eskom’s CEO, Tshediso Matona was recently quoted saying that politicians were to blame for Eskom’s current failures since it was told to keep the lights on for the 2010 World Cup and the elections when power cuts would have cost votes.<\/p>\n
“Public enterprises are part of public administration and are organs of state. They are not government or party businesses, nor pet projects,” Adv Kruger said.<\/p>\n
He added that people have a right to expect that these state-owned enterprises are fully accountable, governed and managed mindful of those for whom they are in essence working: the people of South Africa.<\/p>\n
“Nevertheless, the calamity confronting state-owned enterprises is not operational in nature, and no “5-point plan” aimed at addressing symptoms of deficient governance and mismanagement will solve strategic problems in the long run,” Adv Kruger said.<\/p>\n
How to fix Eskom\u2019s massive power mess<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Eskom wants to charge more for peak demand<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n