- Load shedding is said to be a key contributor to GDP decline
- The ministers have the luxury of uninterrupted power in their private residences
South Africa’s ministers and deputy ministers do not have to pay for water and electricity due to the changes in the ministerial handbook earlier this year. Before the change, ministers were exempt from paying their utility bills below R5,000. However, According to the new ministerial handbook in May 2022, “The department responsible for public works shall be responsible for the costs associated with the provision of water and electricity to official residences”.
The city press stated that not only were the ministers exempted from load shedding in their private residences in Pretoria, but ministers who resided in areas outside the load-shedding-free areas, would also access funds for fuel and power generators. As a result of this change in the ministerial handbook, when most of South Africa experienced darkness for weeks due to load shedding, critical services such as hospitals, schools, etc., were severely affected. However, the ministers had the luxury of uninterrupted power in their private residences in Pretoria.
Load shedding is a key contributor to the GDP decline in the second quarter of 2022. However, as South Africans struggle with the impact of load shedding and the high cost of living, the ministers continue to benefit from public goods and funds at their disposal.