Executive mayor blames electricity theft for Govan Mbeki Municipality’s struggle to pay Eskom

HIGHVELD – Govan Mbeki Municipality’s executive mayor blames their struggle to pay Eskom on electricity theft.

Ms Thandi Ngxonono said in her speech during the virtual council meeting held on Thursday, 30 July, that about 60 per cent of the council’s electricity losses is due to theft.

Ms Ngxonono admitted that the supply of electricity is still a big problem.

She said it remains a serious concern, as it angers the residents – some of whom have turned to the social media to utter their frustrations.

She said the residents are very angry towards the municipality due to the electricity issue.

The mayor informed the council that there is a video doing the rounds on social media in which some people, who claim to represent the residents of Bethal and eMzinoni, are explaining their plans of taking the municipality to court with regards to service delivery and the supply of electricity.

“In the midst of all these challenges, the Eskom account must always be prioritised.

“The rotational load shedding in Bethal and eMzinoni is still not being appreciated by our people. Similarly, the on-off electricity situation in eMbalenhle is causing frustrations for our people.

“Our people are asking very tough questions as to why the Notified Maximum Demand (NMD) issue was not attended to as early as possible and as urgently as it was supposed to have been.

“I am calling for the speedy resolution of the electricity situation.”

Ms Ngxonono believes that interventions, which include the Gert Sibande District in Bethal and eMzinoni, and Bigen Africa in eMbalenhle, will yield positive results.

Ms Ngxonono also spoke about waste collection which has been a problem in the past months.

Workers downed their tools after they complained of not having the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE). This resulted in the non-collection of waste for several weeks.

She said the non-collection of waste must never again be a factor, because the PPE challenge has been resolved.

The mayor slammed those who are not paying for municipal services.

“It cannot be correct that there are people who are not paying for the municipal services whereas there are people who are paying for these services.

“What is good for the goose must also be good for the gander. The philosophy of simple economics is that you pay for the services rendered.

” I would like to reiterate the call to our people that paying their services will help the municipality to execute its responsibilities.

The mayor’s speech was received with criticism and outrage on social media platforms. Residents responded on the municipal Facebook page and expressed their outrage towards the municipality.

Some threatened never to vote for the ANC while some claimed to support those going to court against the municipality.

The video to which Ms Ngxonono referred, was recorded by the Bethal and eMzinoni Community for Services (Becs) organisation.

Becs is going full steam ahead in their legal action against Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM).

McRoberts Attorneys acting on behalf of Becs to represent eMzinoni and Bethal, sent out a letter of demand to GMM, the Gert Sibande District Municipality and Eskom on 30 July.

Also read: Bethal and eMzinoni are still powerless

“The letter of demand is a lengthy letter, but in short it demands that Eskom, GSDM and GMM give a comprehensive written response pertaining to the progress relating to the GMM or Gert Sibande District Municipality reaching an agreement with Eskom.

“This agreement is a payment agreement. The deadline for this will be end of business on 7 August,” said Mr Ziyaad Dangor, media spokesman for Becs. Mr Dangor said the agreement must be a payment agreement that must ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to Bethal and eMzinoni.

“Failure to do so, will result in our attorneys approaching the High Court for a necessary interdiction or other appropriate action to ensure that the rights and interest of Bethal and eMzinoni residents are protected,” said Mr Dangor.

He said an amount of R205 000 has to date been received from businesses and residents to help with the legal costs.

“We thank you, as this helps our legal process to continue, however we still require funds and request all to continue contributing,” ended Mr Dangor.

If you want to contribute, use the banking details as follows: 

First National Bank
Branch code: 210554
Type: Current/Cheque Account
Account number: 62856257277.

Also read: Load shedding impacts heavily on local businesses