40 days left and no deal yet with Eskom
With only 40 days left before Eskom will implement electricity cuts, the Govan Mbeki municipality apparently still needs to reach an agreement with the electricity supplier.
SECUNDA – Uncertainty still looms over the proposed electricity interruptions faced by Govan Mbeki Municipality.
Council owes Eskom R355 312 093 and the electricity provider has made it clear that continued non-payment of this debt will result in power cuts in Secunda, Bethal, eMzinoni and eMbalenhle from 13 March.
Eskom detailed in a notice published in January the process that would be followed.
“Eskom recognises that the indefinite disconnection of electricity supply may cause undue hardship to consumers and members of the community, and may adversely affect the delivery of services.
“In view of this, Eskom is contemplating a regulated interruption of electricity supply as opposed to an outright disconnection.”
The fact that the interruptions will only be in effect at certain times of the day however, comes as little consolation to many disgruntled residents.
“Winter is coming and by March it will be colder and darker in the mornings.
“I have a young daughter who needs to get to school and without electricity in the mornings, it will be difficult to get her ready on time,” complained a local mother.
In an apparent attempt to raise the money to pay off their electricity debt, Govan Mbeki Municipality recently launched a revenue collection operation, Koleka di Koloto.
Through this operation, the municipality urged consumers to pay their accounts in order to ensure the continuation of services and emphasised the importance of paying their accounts on or before the due date.
The municipality also held public consultations with community members about the operation from 17 to 25 January.
Many residents believe this to be a case of too little, too late and there is growing concern among residents and small business owners that these power interruptions will go ahead.
The Ridge Times asked Council for comment on the following:
• Has the municipality reached a deal with Eskom regarding repayment of the debt?
• If no deal has been reached yet, is the municipality engaging with Eskom to try and broker such a deal?
• What has been the outcome of operation Koleka di Koloto thus far, and which businesses or government institutions still owe the municipality for electricity?
• As was reported last year, the municipality had reached an agreement with Eskom. What were the terms of this agreement and did the municipality comply with them?
• What is the municipality doing about the large incidence of alleged electricity theft in the municipal area?
The municipality has however failed to comment at time of going to press.
As of today, 1 February, the municipality will have less than 40 days left to try and reach an agreement with Eskom, or it will be lights out, at least for a few hours each day.
