Parliamentary question on Eskom Bonuses

A couple of weeks ago, we highlighted the issue of Eskom senior staff being paid huge bonuses despite the energy crisis the country was facing. The DA submitted a parliamentary question about the performance contracts, and the question and answer are appended below.

Unfortunately, the minister has taken a very narrow interpretation of the question and hidden behind the confidentiality of performance contracts. He refuses to give any information at all about the kinds of things that are considered in evaluating performance (appropriate long-term planning and ensuring a reliable and suitable quality coal supply would be two key performance areas, one would think).

Mr C M Lowe (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:

(1) With regard to Eskom’s past three annual reports in which it was revealed that its top management was paid a total of R143 million, including R57 million in bonuses, what are the relevant details regarding how agreement on these bonuses were reached;

(2) whether these bonuses were tied to any performance targets; if not, why not; if so, what targets?

Parliamentary question on Eskom’s demand for diesel

One of the concerns about the energy crisis and Eskom’s inability to meet demand was that it might have a knock-on effect on fuel supplies, notably diesel. Here is the DA’s question to the Minister of Public Enterprises about Eskom’s management of its demand for diesel and his reply:

Dr S M van Dyk (DA) to ask the Minister for Public Enterprises:

(1) Whether Eskom’s demand for diesel for diesel-propelled power generators has increased since January 2007; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, to what extent has it increased;

(2) whether Eskom consults with the SA Petroleum Industry Association (Sapia), the Fuel Retailers Association and PetroSA to ensure that sufficient diesel is available for all sectors of the economy; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) whether Eskom, as one of the biggest consumers of diesel, expects that more diesel will be required in the following three to four months and notified the suppliers in advance of this increased demand so that more diesel can be imported; if not, why not; if so, (a) what are the relevant details and (b) what is the indication of diesel requirements for the rest of the year;

(4) whether Eskom foresees that the agricultural industry will have to curtail its demand for diesel in any way in order to accommodate Eskom’s requirements; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details;

(5) whether the pipelines from harbours will be able to cope with t he increased demand for imported diesel (oil); if not, what measures have been introduced to ensure that Eskom can deliver sufficient diesel to its plants.