(NOTICE) Power remains on – for now
Should a compromise not be reached, however, Eskom will seek to overturn the high court ruling which, in 2018, prevented it from disconnecting the towns on account of non-payment.
LYDENBURG – The intended electricity disconnection by Eskom will not take place today (Thursday).
Eskom’s communications department confirmed that the power giant and Thaba Chweu Local Municipality (TCLM) was still in negotiations on Wednesday (yesterday).
“The intended power-cut will thus not take place today. Eskom hopes that an amicable agreement to the problem can be found in order to avoid electricity interruptions to these towns,” Eskom said.
Should a compromise not be reached, however, Eskom will seek to overturn the high court ruling which, in 2018, prevented it from disconnecting the towns on account of non-payment.
The possible power cut follows after the Eskom debt for this municipality has once again increased reaching more than R700 million owed.
Themba Sibiya, communications manager of TCLM, also confirmed that power cuts will not take place. “We have ongoing engagements with the power utility. Though the repayment arrangement is unaffordable, we do not skip the payments.”
In the meantime, the three combined business chambers of Sabie, Graskop and Lydenburg are urging residents to assist them in preventing Eskom from obtaining an appeal against the High Court ruling.
The chamber needs about R1 million for legal assistance. It is, therefore, asking anyone who is willing to contribute to making payment directly into a trust account for the attorneys of record. The banking details are:
Van der Merwe and Associates, Nedbank Trust Account, Arcadia branch 163345,
account number 1633397734, reference S570.
Proof of payment can be emailed to gwilym@plrm.co.za.
