Winter is sharpening its claws with Lekwa’s load-shedding introduced at regular intervals.
The load-shedding schedule did not keep to appointed times and residents were informed on Tuesday, July 6 about the switching of certain streets in mid-town to Sub B.
Confusion reigned as to when power will be interrupted.
Streets such as Caledon, Paarl, Kruger, Von Backström, Joubert, Buiten, Schwickard, Krogh, Princess, as well as Kerk now fall under the new dispensation.
Mr Johann Mettler, administrator of the Lekwa Municipality, sent a letter, dated July 6, to Ms Barbara Sheppard, businesswoman and community activist, about the negotiations with Eskom regarding the 55NMD.
The latter has been a bone of contention and has been called historically archaic by the legal profession.
Mr Mettler’s letter indicated that fruitful engagements were held with the power utility, regarding an increase in the notified maximum demand, and also said national treasury is involved.
He mentioned that another meeting was scheduled for later the week to find clarity in cases, such as Lekwa, where national intervention was introduced to a municipality.
He said that he can confidentially state that negotiations are at a more advanced stage than anytime in the past.
Mr Mettler appealed for patience, calling the engagements sensitive.
“Riots and violence will not help in settling the matter because it is determined at national level,” he added.
An undertaking was given for more information to be furnished.
In a recent conversation with the DA MP, Ms Angel Khanyile, the party’s position was given.
“The mess was left by the previous council,” Ms Khanyile said.
She also recently had a meeting with Mr Mettler and is of the opinion that support should be given to him.
“We can’t expect a new administrator to fix everything in seven days,” she added.
Ms Khanyile reiterated the administrator’s words about striking, violence and riots.
The Standerton Advertiser spoke to Mr Gary van Aswegen from the Vaal Business Chamber on Wednesday, July 7 at 11:30 to get a first-hand account of the court case about contempt of court against Eskom.
Lekwa Ratepayers Association established the chamber earlier the year to be a vehicle for litigation.
Mr Van Aswegen said the chamber approached the High Court again for an interpretation about the interdict.
An interdict was successfully obtained in the past, but the court ruled in June that the Supreme Court will be the body to make the final decision.
According to him, no information has yet been received regarding a final date for court proceedings.
