TCM’s lights to keep burning for now
AfriForum was granted an urgent interdict brought against Eskom's planned disconnection of bulk electricity supply to the municipality today.
NELSPRUIT – The bulk electricity supply of Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) will not be disconnected tomorrow. The Pretoria High Court today granted AfriForum an urgent interdict brought against Eskom’s planned suspension of electricity supply.
The municipality’s electricity bill is R146 million in arrears. The utility company had earlier announced that the power would be cut off tomorrow.
It was reported earlier that, in the two months since July 2013, when the outstanding amount was R102 million, another R44 million accumulated on the account.
Mr Ruan Lottering, and organiser of AfriForum, said today that the court decreed that the utility company may not disconnect the municipality’s power before November 19.
Last week, the premier, Mr David Mabuza, said that the situation at TCM was well under control and there was no need to worry. After residents in Graskop said earlier today that they had received notices from Eskom informing them that the electricity will be disconnected tomorrow, the premier’s office referred queries to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta).
In turn, the spokesman for Cogta, Mr Simphiwe Kunene, referred the matter to Mr Zibonele Mncwango, spokesman for the premier. The latter would also not comment on the statements the premier made last week.
Mr Eric Khoza, spokesman for Eskom in the area, said at the time of publication that he was not at liberty to comment on the matter.
