Hon Speaker, I wish to apologise for omitting to respond to the statement on the R20 billion guarantee. I want to re-assure members of this House that this is not additional funding, as was indicated by the DA Leader. It is a R20 billion guarantee from government to allow us, Eskom, to raise loans from the market. This will allow for the building of the Kusile Power Plant, and we will therefore be able to bring about the security of the supply of electricity to South African industry and households.
I want to ask, since I know that the DA is not a member of Cabinet and none of them is a Minister, which Ministers were not consulted, because the support that government lent to Eskom through Cabinet was a product of the Department of Public Enterprises, DPE, the National Treasury and the Department of Energy. We co-authored the memo which solicited the support of Cabinet, which was duly given, as reported by the GCIS Director-General last week. So, I just want to put that to rest.
I also want to say that the issues ... [Interjections.]
Order! Hon Minister, take your seat. There is a point of order.
Hon Speaker, the Minister is asking me a question. Am I entitled to respond to her question about which Ministers were not asked or informed? In her response she asked me a question.
It is a rhetorical question, hon member. [Laughter.] Continue, hon Minister.
I want to say that the issue of the link of Chancellor House to Eskom is like a record that has got stuck, on one note. We believe that that matter has been addressed and there is no way that we can keep on bringing it back. Chancellor House is an independent company that has a right to do business with any entity that they want to ... [Interjections.]
Order!
... and no amount of howling will stop Chancellor House from doing business in this country. [Applause.]