Deputy Speaker, on Sunday morning the country woke up to the very worrying news that once again we were going to experience load- shedding, which would plunge us, city by city, suburb by suburb, into darkness.

Not only does this cause extreme frustration and inconvenience to all South Africans, it also puts our already very fragile economy under yet more pressure; costs businesses millions upon millions of rands in lost revenue; and further lowers the confidence of international investors in South Africa.

Eskom's description of the problem as being a crack in a silo at the Majuba Power Station was, in fact, an understatement that could be likened to calling the presidential palace of Inkandla a modest holiday cottage. [Interjections.] [Laughter.] The silo did not only crack; the entire structure collapsed! This is an occurrence that is extremely worrying if the concrete and steel structures are correctly erected and maintained.

For years the DA has been questioning the maintenance programme and schedule at Eskom. But as with most things of a state-owned-entity nature, they are veiled in secrecy and only the Number Ones in a circle know the true goings-on.

The fact of the matter is this: Heads must roll. No other country in the world would stand by and take no action against those who yet again plunge their country into darkness and continue to destroy the economy.

The people of our country are sick of being kept in the dark, if you will pardon the pun, and answers must be given. It is time for the ANC-led government to stand up, admit that they cannot run this country and take responsibility for the mess that they have created! [Applause.]