BETHAL – With winter fast approaching, residents may have to prepare themselves for another cold, dark season due to no electricity supply.
For more than a year, the residents of Bethal and eMzinoni have been battling with Govan Mbeki Municipality about the poor electricity supply.
Residents keep hearing the same song sung that the lack of electricity is due to cable theft, damaged cables or implemented load shedding.
Over the years many households have resorted to gas, however, not all are in the financial position to fork out such expenses.
For the most, residents just want the service for which they pay but which is not being delivered.
“We are being tormented with no power for three days in a row at exactly 6pm,” said an infuriated resident.
“The clever call centre says its load shedding! There is no notification on their part. Is that the only excuse they know of for their incompetence?
“The fuel price has again increased and guess who the fools are paying again for absolutely nothing? We have no service delivery and no electrical team competent to do the work and every day they want their money,” said the resident.
The long and lengthy legal process continues.
Bethal and eMzinoni Community for Service (Becs) sent out a statement regarding the latest development on their legal process against the Govan Mbeki Municipality.
According to the update, after various correspondence between Becs’ lawyers and the opposing respondents, the following time-line was submitted to the court for approval:
• That the applicant’s heads of argument shall be delivered by no later than 5 May.
• That the first and second, as well as third and fourth respondents’ heads of argument shall be delivered by no later than 20 May.
• The case be registered with the court on Monday 24 May.
• The hearing will begin on 7 June.
Becs said they will update the public as soon as the court has approved the above dates.
Gert Sibande District Municipality’s executive mayor, Mr Muzi Chirwa, together with Govan Mbeki Municipality’s executive mayor, Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, will be holding a briefing session to introduce the appointed service provider, Enpower Machite JV Electricity Supply, for the electricity supply at Bethal and eMzinoni.
This will take place at the Bethal council chambers in Chris Hani Street, Bethal from 9am to 11am on Wednesday, 21 April.
Covid-19 restrictions will be strictly adhered to – no mask, no entry.
Govan Mbeki Municipality has also begun their 2021/22 Budget and Integrated Development Plan (IDP) public consultation meetings.
The political leadership and municipal officials are visiting various wards around the municipality to discuss the proposed budget.
Communities are allowed to give input before the final budget is tabled at a full council meeting at the end of May.
Residents of Bethal and eMzinoni are urged to attend this meeting.
The meeting will be held on 20 April at the Bethal Town Hall and Thusong Service Centre at 6pm.
