Public enterprises minister Alec Erwin and Eskom chief executive Jacob Maroga have received an avalanche of criticism over the way they have handled the energy crisis and the manner in which it has affected the mining industry.
Democratic Alliance minerals and energy spokesperson Hendrik Schmidt said the lack of political accountability was the biggest problem.
While deputy president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the former minister of minerals and energy, had apologised for the government underestimating economic growth, Schmidt said both Erwin and his predecessor as public enterprises minister, transport minister Jeff Radebe, should resign.
"It would be the honourable thing to do."
Maroga told a media conference on Friday morning that he was "not aware" of mines being closed even though a letter - allegedly in Maroga's name - was sent out the previous night advising of necessary shutdowns. The letter said key industrial consumers had to reduce their power loads to minimum levels.
Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said it was "really astonishing" that there had not been thorough consultation behind the scenes before Maroga appeared at the press conference. "It has unbelievable consequences. It is very short-sighted. They [Eskom] don't seem to have any idea of the international perceptions and implications."
Mulder said the government had told journalists that Botswana would no longer receive power when this message had apparently not even been conveyed to that country's government. "We will take a hammering from international investors," he said.
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