Amid residents’ growing frustration over electricity challenges in Azaadville, the Mogale City Local Municipality (MCLM) has dismissed claims that it recently lost a court case over electricity tariffs.

MCLM communications officer Refilwe Mahlangu explained that the case had nothing to do with the municipality’s Inclined Block Tariff (IBT), which was approved by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).

• Read the initial article here: Azaadville residents cut off despite disputing high electricity bills

She clarified that the matter before the court was brought by a businessperson regarding an alleged unlawful electricity disconnection, despite their municipal account being up to date.

“The municipality had no record of initiating this disconnection, particularly as the electricity meter in question is located inside the customer’s property. No evidence was presented to the court that the municipality had affected the disconnection. The court struck out all references to the electricity tariff, as the case before it did not concern tariff-related issues. The court directed the municipality to reconnect the customer’s electricity supply,” she said.

Mahlangu stressed that the ruling does not affect or relate to the IBT tariff structure approved by Nersa.