Mayor admits there is no agreement with Eskom

SECUNDA – Eskom has rejected the recent Govan Mbeki Municipal proposal payment plan for a longer period to pay its dept.

Ms Lindi Masina, executive mayor, began her council meeting speech last Thursday by announcing and admitting that the municipality is grappling with debt of about R167-m owed to Eskom.

She said it is important that council members become brutally honest with themselves about the matter as they carry on with their duties as public representatives.

Ms Masina told Council they are working hard to find mutual ground with Eskom to pay the debt.

“We are having another meeting with Eskom next week and hope it will yield positive results.

“We want to implore the Eskom management to treat our situation individually.

“We realise that Eskom is not treating us in the manner that we feel they should and we feel we are being unfairly treated.

“We have a huge responsibility to make sure that service is delivered to our people.”

Eskom announced in February that the discontinuation of the electricity supply to the Govan Mbeki Municipality will be effective from 11 April after Council’s failure to honour its agreement.

The contemplated interruption of electricity supply will result in temporary scheduled disconnections at the following times:

Monday to Friday from 6am to 10am and from 5pm to 9pm.

Saturday to Sunday from 7am to 10am and 5pm to 8pm.

A resident who wanted to remain anonymously said the mayor’s announcement was disturbing, but she was glad that the mayor told the truth.

“All along Council claimed they had the situation under control, however her brutally honesty brought clarity.

“I am not ready for the massive power cuts that can take place, especially in winter.

“I urge Council to put in more effort. They must stop fighting for positions and attend to serious matters like the Eskom debt.”