HIGHVELD – Govan Mbeki Municipality challenges Eskom’s threat to the cut bulk electricity supply to the municipal area as of December.
Mr Benzi Soko, chief of staff at GMM, said an interdict obtained in court earlier this year prohibits the power giant from cutting the electricity supply.
Eskom recently published a final notice for the interruption of the bulk electricity supply to GMM as of 7 December, but according to Mr Soko the Council has not yet received official correspondence from Eskom.
The municipality is currently owing Eskom more than R800 million for the bulk electricity supply, part of which has been outstanding and escalating since 2003.
In the notice, Eskom stated that the municipality failed to honour the repayment agreement entered into on 21 September.
It is a statutory obligation to generate and supply electricity to municipalities nationally, on a sustainable basis.
In response to this, Mr Soko said: “It is a matter in the public domain that Govan Mbeki had successfully interdicted Eskom from commencing with the interruption and termination of the bulk electricity supply.
“The interim interdict order prohibits Eskom from proceeding with interruption, and giving notice in the media of as such action would be in direct contrast to the order.
“The municipality has since written to Eskom advising them to comply with the order. It is therefore against this background that we view this matter as sub-judice.
“We trust that this information will set the record straight,” Mr Soko added.
The Govan Mbeki Municipality had obtained a court order in May to prohibit Eskom from implementing bulk power cuts in the municipal area.
Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, at that time, said that council opted to approach the Pretoria High Court regarding the matter and that the municipality was dissatisfied with Eskom’s billing system.
She claimed that Eskom’s billing was inaccurate and unfair.
“We decided to apply for an interdict and we are glad that our application was successful.
“Eskom’s billing is too high,” Ms Ngxonono maintained.
“When we compare our consumption and their billing, it does not correspond. We are however, expected to still pay Eskom and we urge our residents to keep paying for services delivered.”
eMbalenhle councillors recently held a press conference where they raised their concern about the manner in which the mayor is handling the lurking electricity crisis.
Mr John Nkosi, ANC councilor, claimed that Mpumalanga’s Premier, Ms Refilwe Mtsweni, instructed councilors to take a resolution to relinquish electricity back to Eskom.
“She promised that she will also accompany the executive mayor to the head office of Eskom.”
Mr Nkosi said the Premier made many promises, but only two were implemented. These are the removal of the former acting municipal manager and the fixing of the sewerage problem.
“Council took a resolution to appoint an ad-hoc committee to monitor implementation of a temporary substation from Bracken that would boost the Extension 5 sub-station.
“Surprisingly, Ms Ngxonono has never attended a single meeting. She never showed any interest to address the matter.
“We are told by officials that Eskom will still interrupt electricity,” Mr Nkosi concluded.
The Echo contacted Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, speaker for GMM for comment, however, he was not available.
Mr Thando Skosana from Eskom Mpumalanga communications department said they will respond to the Govan Mbeki Municipality’s stance in due time.
“We apologise for the delay, but because of the legal implications of the response, it is taking longer than anticipated,” Mr Skosana said.
