The JB Marks Council has decided to give the green light to the proposed 25-year solar power purchase agreement during a special Council meeting on Thursday, October 15.

Opposition parties are of the opinion that the proposed solar deal leaves more questions unanswered regarding transparency and the costs involved, especially against the backdrop of the municipality’s debt. The municipality currently has approximately R1.84 billion in consumer debtors and owes Eskom R945 million.

The Potchefstroom Herald previously reported on the solar project in May this year, after the municipality published a notice in February 2026. A public consultation process was followed in accordance with Section 33 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

According to DA Ward 24 councillor Sean Trautmann, the solar proposal was considered during a virtual special Council meeting that dealt with seven substantive agenda items in just 65 minutes.

“This limited time for scrutiny is particularly concerning given that Councillors only received the solar report at 19:46 on Monday evening, ahead of Thursday’s meeting,” he added.

“Committing the municipality to a proposed 25-year electricity agreement without adequately demonstrating how the supplier was selected or what residents could ultimately pay exposes taxpayers to unacceptable uncertainty,” he emphasised.

The DA reiterated that it supports reliable electricity for JB Marks, including the neglected and suffering communities of Ventersdorp and surrounding areas, but not at the expense of taxpayers.

“The information presented to Council did not demonstrate a transparent and competitive procurement process or establish the agreement’s full costs and risks.”

VF Plus caucus leader in JB Marks, Cllr Matthys van Tonder, stated that the meeting had also been moved at short notice from Tuesday to Thursday. As a result, the caucus could not attend due to party-related activities.

“The postponement and the agenda amount to an abuse of political power to convene a council meeting so close to an election, where decisions such as this one are pushed through and become a problem for the next administration. Such decisions are not in the best interests of the community,” Van Tonder added.

“The current composition of the council will change after the election, and there is no issue so urgent that it could not have been deferred to the next council,” Van Tonder stated.

The DA maintains that a majority vote by the ANC-PA coalition cannot substitute for compliance with the law.

“The proposed purchase tariff, described as an applicable NERSA-approved tariff less 10%, does not automatically mean residents will receive a 10% reduction in their electricity bills. The DA calls on the municipality to disclose projected annual costs, escalation provisions and any minimum purchase obligations, guarantees or termination liabilities.”

The DA demands the publication of the final agreement, procurement record, financial assessments, statutory consultation submissions, and relevant ownership and conflict-of-interest disclosures. Any outstanding legal requirements must be fulfilled before the agreement is signed or implemented.

The JB Marks Municipality was contacted for comment on Thursday, October 15, but had not responded at the time of publication.