KZN: Eskom will switch off supply to Newcastle on Monday

Electricity supply to Newcastle will be switched off on Monday, 30 September 2019, Newcastle Advertiser reports.

Eskom issued an official notice of its decision to proceed with the interruption of power supply on Thursday, 26 September 2019, after receiving no joy from Newcastle Municipality with regards to how it intends to pay off more than R200 million debt, which has been accumulating for more than two years.

“After careful consideration of the impact of the growing municipal debt and failure of Newcastle Municipality to settle its overdue debt, Eskom has decided to proceed with the contemplated interruption that was communicated and published from August 26 to September 25,” reads Eskom’s notice.

The temporary scheduled disconnection begins on September 30 and will take place from Monday to Friday, between 6 am and 9 am, and again between 5 pm and 8 pm. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be no power supply from 8.30 am till 12 pm, and again from 3 pm to 8 pm.

One of KwaZulu-Natal’s largest economic hubs, Newcastle is already taking strain after dramatic rates increase following the 2018/2019 property valuations, with many businesses already looking at relocating, to remain sustainable.

Members of the Newcastle Business Forum expressed fear that the added loss of productivity due to daily power interruptions will lead to massive job losses, and have embarked on a campaign to have Nersa withdraw the local municipality’s license to supply electricity and have Eskom supply Newcastle’s consumers directly.

Since his urgent meeting with Eskom on September 2, Newcastle mayor, Dr Nthuthuko Mahlaba, has remained adamant that Newcastle will not experience any power interruptions, and appeared to be counting on the engagement between the municipality, Eskom, Cogta and Treasury which is scheduled to take place on Monday (September 30) to resolve the situation with a revised payment plan.

Newcastle’s municipal manager, Musi Mayisela, seemed unaware of the issue of the notice when he was contacted for comment, but promised to respond as soon as he has had a chance to consult with the relevant authorities.

Eskom has acknowledged receipt of more than 200 submissions from Newcastle residents and business owners objecting to the planned power interruption and has begun the process of responding to each submission.