Western Cape Premier, Alan Winde, criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa’s Cabinet reshuffle, expressing disappointment with the creation of a new Cabinet post for an Electricity Minister. The Premier believes that adding more political posts will only burden taxpayers further. Instead, the Western Cape Government has focused on bringing in technical experts to help address the energy crisis.
Regarding the newly appointed Electricity Minister, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, Premier Winde urges transparency and urgent action to resolve the energy crisis. The Premier is committed to making the Western Cape resilient and independent of Eskom as quickly as possible to help the local economy thrive.
However, the retention of Police Minister Bheki Cele has raised concerns among officials, who want to see more progress in creating safer communities across the province. Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Reagen Allen, expressed regret that President Ramaphosa did not appoint a new Minister of Police to take policing to a new level.
Premier Winde reaffirmed the Western Cape Government’s commitment to addressing the energy crisis with an allocation of R1 billion over the next three years.