In a surprise move, Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality (ILM) has announced that the electricity supply to the IFP-run uThukela District Municipality will be cut off.

This follows the district municipality’s failure to pay its debt to ILM, despite several engagements and political interventions by senior management of uThukela District.

A public statement issued by ILM yesterday (July 31) read that, “Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality has in place the Credit Control Policy – emanating from Section 96 of the Municipal Systems Act, clause 96 – which allows for the municipality to disconnect the rendering of any services to its customers upon failure of payment for services rendered.” In compliance with the Municipal Credit Control Policy, ILM say they have therefore reached the ‘difficult decision’ to cut uThukela District Municipality’s electricity supply.

This development has sparked concern in the Estcourt community, with many people believing it will lead to water interruptions, as uThukela’s pumps use electricity to pump the water. Some residents feel that ILM should work out their issues with uThukela and leave the community out of the equation.

ILM, in turn, say they hope this electricity cut will prompt uThukela to pay what it owes.

uThukela has not yet commented on the matter.

Also read: Court sentences 70-year-old rapist to life in prison

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or  for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!