Eskom threatens with eight hour power cut for TCM
This is the most drastic action Eskom has taken against local municipalities and the second time that Thaba Chweu has been directly threatened with disconnection.
LYDENBURG – Five Mpumalanga municipalities, including Thaba Chweu, could feel the crunch when an eight-hour power cut could leave these areas in the dark.
On Friday Eskom announced that the power to 20 defaulting municipalities could be interrupted due to non-payment.
This is the most drastic action Eskom has taken against local municipalities and the second time that Thaba Chweu has been directly threatened with disconnection.
In 2014 AfriForum prevented the whole of power being cut, again defaulting in its payment to Eskom. The High Court then ruled in favour of the civil rights organisation and the elecricity cut was prevented.
In a statement Eskom said it moved to notify all parties which were likely to be materially and adversely affected as the company contemplated interrupting bulk electricity supply to the top 20 defaulting municipalities across the country with effect from June 5.
“As at March 31 the total municipal arrear debt greater than 30 days was R4,6 billion. Of this amount, the top 20 defaulting municipalities are currently indebted to Eskom to the amount of R3,68 billion for the bulk supply of electricity.”
The list of defaulting municipalities are Maluti-a-Phofung, Matjhabeng, eMalahleni, Ngwathe, Thaba Chweu, Lekwa, Govan Mbeki, City of Matlosana, Naledi, Thabazimbi, Msukaligwa, Lichtenburg, Nala, Makana, Madibeng, Randfontei, Dihlabeng, Nketoana, Nama Khoi and Westonaria.
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