Businesses operating from the Tshwane Special Economic Zone, a Gauteng Provincial Government initiative, will have to spend R1,7 million for 61 000 litres of diesel to continue trading during load-shedding. This information was revealed in a reply to the Democratic Alliance’s questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) regarding the impact load-shedding has had on the economy in the province.
According to the Gauteng MEC for Economic Development, Tasneem Motara, a study was undertaken by the Tshwane Special Economic Zone to determine what the cost implications are for businesses operating in the hub. The study revealed that the cost is too much for the government.
To this end, a decision was taken that the businesses will pay for the running costs of the generator while the Tshwane Special Economic Zone will be assisting in procuring the diesel.
It is clear that load-shedding is having a negative financial impact on businesses, if the current trend of higher stages of load-shedding is to continue, we will see a further loss in job opportunities in this province.
The DA will continue to put pressure on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to establish an inter-governmental task team to look into the impact load-shedding has on businesses and water supply. For our economy to grow, we need to have a constant supply of electricity and water, and the provincial government needs to intervene in this situation urgently.