TZANEEN – The long-running Tarentaalrand substation dispute, which at one point threatened to leave several communities in the Tzaneen area without electricity, may soon be resolved.

This follows a partial settlement agreement reached between the Greater Tzaneen Municipality (GTM) and Lindor Ondernemings.

July Mathebula of July Mathebula Attorneys, who represents Lindor Ondernemings, the owners of Portion 524 LT, District 9, where the substation is located on the R71, told the Herald that the parties are awaiting municipal approval. “The municipality still needs to present the agreement to the council for approval. Once the council approves the terms, all parties will sign a draft settlement agreement,” he said.

The dispute arose from GTM’s occupation of the Tarentaalrand 524 LT property without a formal lease agreement. On March 12, 2023, the Limpopo High Court ordered the municipality to vacate the land by April 12, 2024, and to pay damages for unlawful occupation.

Since then, negotiations between the parties have continued, at times raising concerns that communities such as Nkowankowa and Deer Park could be left without power if the matter was not resolved. In September last year, the landowners warned that they might dismantle the substation, causing widespread concern among residents.