The Speaker of the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) Council has expressed the municipality’s disappointment in Eskom for cutting the power in parts of Bekkersdal.
In a media statement issued by the Office of the Speaker, Councillor Dumile Sithole said, “It is with immense disappointment that we take note of the decision by Eskom to switch off certain sections of Bekkersdal recently without proper communication”.
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Sithole said such arbitrary decisions have a great potential to cause unnecessary instability in local communities.
He went on to request proper communication by Eskom through councillors beyond merely switching off electricity, and that the electricity to the affected areas of Bekkersdal be restored with immediate effect. In the event that electricity could not be restored, he requested Eskom to provide a way forward.
Sithole further suggested that the municipality and the community be thoroughly engaged on the matter, and that all relevant parties be brought to the table to find amicable and lasting solutions.
We once more wish to express our utter disappointment with the conduct of Eskom, switching off residents’ electricity without notification or communication to local communities in Bekkersdal.
“Your favourable indulgence in the aforesaid urgent matters as raised is of utmost importance and we thus look forward to hearing from you at your earliest possible convenience,” Sithole concluded.
