Electricity theft, which now stands at over R12-million for the first eight months of the municipal financial year, is severely impacting on Endumeni Council’s budget.
In the 2017/18-draft budget report, it is noted that theft of power in Dundee town accounts for 38% of the calculated losses, Sibongile 32%, Glencoe 18% and Sithembile 12%.
Tampering of electricity meters and theft has meant that the Council has had to provide R2,5-million to pay an out-of-town meter auditing company to check all meters in the municipal area.

“The company is continuously inspecting all meters and disconnecting tampered meters. Management has noted that some progress has been made in reducing the theft but despite this, the community continues with meter tampering. This is one of the main challenges faced by this municipality when it comes to providing services,” the draft budget reports.
The draft report is currently being rolled out to residents through a series of roadshows hosted by Mayor, Richard Mbatha, Speaker Bongiwe Mbatha, Councillors and officials throughout the seven wards.
It was also said that the non-payment of rates and services has again meant that the budget must cater for bad debt which for 2017/18 has been calculated at over R8-million.

“Irrecoverable debts have been written off in the previous financial year and much has been done to provide incentives to consumers to pay their arrears and clear the debtors’ book.
“Management encourages debtors who are classified as indigent to complete documentation to ensure that they are registered as indigents and take advantage of the additional rebates and free basic services provided to them.”
The best news about the proposed budget is that after having to endure years of hefty increases in the cost of electricity, thanks to Eskom having to find funds to build new power stations, this year residents will only have to cough up an extra 1,88%.
The refuse removal tariff is proposed to increase by 6% while the re-evaluation of all properties in Endumeni will impact on the rates tariff. However, it has been proposed that the rates tariff decreases by 1% and that will offer some relief once the new property valuation roll comes into effect on July 1.

Endumeni’s operational budget amounts to R323 889 788 while the capital budget is calculated at R35-million. State grants include R15-million for municipal infrastructure and R7,5-million for electrification projects.
The balance of just over R11-million will be funded by municipal funds. Some of the projects identified include construction of the media centre in Sithembile, upgrading of MacPhail Drive in Craigieburn, establishment of new Dundee cemetery, electrification of various mainly rural areas, building of a pack-house to store vegetables for the Tandy Street garden project, while there is also mention of an erection of a statue of the late Councillor, Majuba Mhlungu, at a cost of R2-million but there is no certainty if this has been approved.
There are plans for a community hall in Stratford farm and a creche and primary school at Craigside which would have to be privately funded – possibly through the mine. See inside for photos of the Municipal Roadshow programme.