The Congress of the People welcomes reports that Eskom has decided to revise its proposed 45 percent per annum increase of the price of electricity over the next three years. These increases would have dampened growth, hamstrung our economy and been a burden on all South Africans.

COPE recognises that Eskom is a key driver of economic growth in South Africa, and indeed the southern African region. The parastatal has to be responsible in its administration, vision and practices. Its position as the only energy producer for South Africa is one of the reasons for its insensitivity and aloofness to the consequences of its autocratic decisions. The fact that it is beholden to the coal mining industry makes this problem even worse.