In a strongly worded critique of government, Carl Niehaus has penned an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa decrying the handling of state-owned power utility Eskom.
This after Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan reportedly made a shocking move last week by instructing Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana to expedite the sale and separation of various divisions of the utility.
In the letter, Niehaus conveys the frustrations of “patriotic” citizens shared via his #InMyCropsshairs Twitter (formerly known as X) space, which delves on political and socio-economic discussions.
He accuses Gordhan of making decisions without proper authorisation and in a unilateral manner, asserting that these actions resemble a covert attempt at privatisation.
Niehaus further urges the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to examine whether Gordhan and Martin Kingston might have collaborated.
He has simultaneously requested the president to remove Gordhan from his position.
“One hopes, sadly against the overwhelming evidence of all previous experience, that sanity will prevail, and that the ANC top seven will now finally grow some backbone and immediately stop Gordhan in his tracks,” writes Niehaus in the letter.
“That you, Mr Ramaphosa, will finally dismiss him from his disastrous tenure as minister of public enterprises, scrap his arrogant, illegal, letter and stop any further sale of Eskom divisions, and stop any other steps to privatise Eskom.
“Furthermore, that the SIU be instructed by you, Mr President, to investigate the evident collusion between Mr Gordhan, Mr Martin Kingston, Rothschild, and others to illegally privatise any divisions of Eskom and the company as a whole, and establish what illegal, criminal benefits they have already accrued, and still hope to accrue, through this rogue process.”
Critique of government
Niehaus also expressed doubt that the ANC’s top seven would act against the minister, indicating that Gordhan has become untouchable to a point the president defers to him.
“You, Mr Ramaphosa, constantly defer to him, and he is evidently part of the coterie of puppet masters that pull your strings,” writes Niehaus.
He also criticised the government, blaming it for mismanaging the economy and causing harm to the country’s infrastructure and society.
According to him, Ramaphosa is responsible for the country’s economic and social troubles.
“Sir, sadly you, and your failed ANC government, feature regularly in our discussions, because of the disastrous consequences of your mismanagement of our economy and our country in general.
“It is an understatement to say that you are responsible for the destruction of the economic infrastructure and social fabric of our beloved country, and the hopes for a better life that our children are entitled to.”
Niehaus wants Ramaphosa to intervene and halt the privatisation process.
He said if the ANC fails, his party ARETA, and other progressive organisations would take decisive action.
He highlighted his intention to mobilise and engage with other political parties and civil society organisations to resist Eskom privatisation and protect the country’s sovereignty.
“Mr Ramaphosa, we do not want you to labour under any illusions, we want you to understand that with this open letter, we truly throw down the gauntlet.
“Enough is enough! Now decisive action will be taken to stop the creeping rot that is destroying your country.”
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