LYDENBURG – Residents in Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) could breathe a sigh of relief as it was pronounced that the proposed electricity cut off will not be taking place today.
AfriForum came to the party yesterday obtaining an urgent interdict against the proposed disconnection of electricity supply that would have affected all residents in Lydenburg/Mashishing, Sabie and Graskop.
According to Mr Ruan Lottering of AfriForum, they will now work closely with Eskom to ensure that those who are supposed to be held accountable for the whole crisis will be taken to task. Eskom spokesman Mr Khulu Phasiwe confirmed that the proposed cut off will not be taking place and said that Eskom will issue a press release regarding the current situation in the near future.
In the meantime, Mr Zibonele Mncwango, spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Provincial government issued a press release stating; “Following a commitment by Eskom that it would cut-off electricity at TCM on Wednesday 16 October, due to a huge debt by the municipality, the Mpumalanga Provincial Government wishes to assure citizens that the situation is under control. There will be no cut-off of electricity as previously communicated.”
He further said that the provincial government has intervened at TCM by sending a team which is assisting to address the challenges faced by the municipality including money owed to Eskom.
“The public will be kept informed about any further developments in this regard. We therefore request the community to be rest assured that there would be no electricity cut-off whatsoever until the negotiations have been concluded between the provincial government and Eskom.”
This, however, still does not explain the fact that Phasiwe earlier said that TCM has never been in discussion with them with regard to the payment of the more than R146 million owed to Eskom for services rendered. It would now seem that there is either a communication gap between TCM and the office of the premier or a lack of conveying the correct message to the residents of the affected towns.
