Forum linked to Zuma lobby groups joins campaign against IPPs
The Anti Poverty Forum claims that Eskom was forced to buy power from independent power producers illegally and under political duress
A group called the Anti Poverty Forum (APF) has laid a complaint with the public protector claiming that Eskom was forced into signing contracts with independent power producers (IPPs) that are now responsible for the company’s financial crisis. The forum is run by Phapano Phasha, who is associated with various lobby groups supporting former president Jacob Zuma. It has also previously laid charges against acting SA Revenue Service commissioner Mark Kingon, claiming he should not have entered a legal settlement with a former employee. The IPP programme, which for the first time enabled private companies to supply electricity to Eskom, has become a highly contested political issue as trade unions, former Eskom employees and Zuma-supporting lobby groups joined forces to mount a campaign against them. The IPPs are chosen through a competitive bid process of which there have been four rounds since 2011, presided over by the department of energy. Eskom is then directed by the government ...
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