The Executive Mayor of Govan Mbeki Municipality, Cllr Nhlakanipho Zuma, responded to the media on the recent High Court judgement in a council meeting held on Monday, February 7.
The Bethal and eMzinoni Community for Services Association (Becs) won their legal battle against respondents Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM), the municipal manager of GMM, Gert Sibande District Municipality (GSDM), the municipal manager of GSDM, Eskom Holdings, the MEC for Co-Operative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the province of Mpumalanga as well as the Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The case was heard on August 31, 2021. Judgement was given on Friday, January 14.
The court imposed a structural interdict on, among others, GMM.
This means that GMM must, over the next three years, report to both Becs and the court on their progress to get their house in order in terms of electricity supply to the respective communities.
When assessing the council, the mayor said that the matter was put forward by the association that was established by Bethal and eMzinoni residents regarding power interruptions that occurred in the past three years.
“Judgement says that we must comply or conform with.
“I plead with the council that we adhere to the court order as it is stipulated or outlined,” Mayor Zuma.
Some councillors requested that ward councillors be given the list of council recommendations so that they can communicate them to their communities in Bethal and eMzinoni concerning the municipality decision on the judgement.
Councillors also want GMM to be transparent with legal fees or the amount that GMM should pay.
Council resolved that they mandate the Municipal Public Account Committee (MPAC) to recommend to the council on the matter and give direction that the municipality needs to take and for MPAC to do an assessment on the matter and give recommendations to the council to avoid making a decision that may come back and haunt the municipality.
The committee will also investigate on proposals of councillors.
