Aggrieved African People’s Convention (APC) members took to the streets of Mbombela to demand a reliable supply of electricity from the country’s power utility, Eskom, and the removal of Pravin Gordhan as the minister of public enterprises.

The APC resolved to fight the “destruction” of Eskom in its third congress in March and has begun protests in major cities of the country, with Mbombela seeing a peaceful one on Thursday July 14.

ALSO READ: MTPA embarks on cleaning campaign in Numbi on Mandela Day

Slogans such as “Load-shedding must fall”, “No to privatisation of Eskom” and “Gordhan must fall” were chanted as the members in green marched from Andrew Street to the Eskom Distribution Division in Ferreira Street.

The APC’s deputy president, Ernest Hlathi, said there is a lack of leadership to govern essential public entities like Eskom.

“We are sick and tired of watching incapable ministers run this country. Gordhan seems to be incapable of saving Eskom, and we do not want to see the power utility dragged to the ground like South African Airways. Gordhan has failed the country and we call for President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove him urgently,” he said.

Hlathi also said the privatisation of Eskom will cause a further decline in the economy and electricity will be expensive for most households and businesses.

“Where will people get the money to pay for the electricity? Already they are poor and unemployed, and load-shedding has caused a decline in the economy, because businesses are not operating normally, which means little to no profits are made.”

He also indicated that tonnes of coal are exported, but the country is left in the dark.

“Our coal is exported to other countries, but where is the money to reinvest back to Eskom? Eskom is in so much debt and we are left to experience unreliable electricity supply.

ALSO READ: Models gear up to compete for Miss and Miss Teen eKasi

“Moreover, we understand that this fight is not a war of quick decisions, but one of attrition. We have prepared ourselves for the long haul,” Hlathi said.

A memorandum detailing the grievances and demands directed to Eskom’s top management, Gordhan and Ramaphosa was handed over to Eskom maintenance manager Musa Mabila, who vowed to forward it to the relevant parties.

The APC expects a response by August 15.