'Eskom won't hurt jobs, growth'

Replying to questions in the National Assembly, Mbeki said, as he understood it, Eskom was saying the practice whereby people launching large projects applied for power would continue.

However, because of the electricity emergency, it might take a bit longer to approve those applications.

"That's what I understand... I haven't seen the transcript, but that's what I understand. It was no statement from Eskom, it was a response to a question that was posed.

"The manner in which the question might have been answered might have been unfortunate, but the policy, certainly, is that this should not result in unnecessarily slowing down economic growth and... job losses," Mbeki said.

Everything possible had to be done to ensure it did not impact negatively on growth and jobs, and that Eskom handled it in a way that addressed these challenges.

'Collective responsibility'

Mbeki also gave the assurance government's electrification programme in disadvantaged areas would continue, with "a harder push with regard to using alternative sources of energy".

He again rejected calls for heads to roll as a result of the crisis.

"Government takes collective responsibility for the electricity emergency.

"Similarly, government takes collective responsibility... vigorously to respond to the emergency.

"This means that the attempt to attribute this national emergency to particular ministers is misdirected," Mbeki said.

The urgent task at hand was to act in unity to respond to the emergency, he said.

- Sapa