The government will not take further steps on reducing Eskom's R450bn debt burden until it has showed progress on reforms. Finance Minister Tito Mboweni said in his medium term budget speech that once there is enough progress at Eskom an appropriate size of debt relief will be announced. At a news conference after the budget speech Treasury director-general Dondo Mogajane had harsh words for Eskom and killed rumours of a debt-equity swap. - Linda van Tilburg