Yesterday (28 April) Emerald Safari Resort was one of the major local businesses ELM officials visited to switch off power.  It is believed that an amount of R1.1 million is outstanding.

“Emerald Safari Resort was equally surprised by the disconnection of electricity at the Resort as Emerald prides itself in paying all bills upon production and we believe all our municipal accounts to be up to date,” the Resort stated in an official press release.

“We can confirm the electricity was disconnected yesterday, Thursday 28 April, and as such the resort moved over to generators whilst this matter is resolved, causing no disruption to any of the services at the resort.

“Emerald welcomes the reconnection of its electricity and also an open dialogue with the municipality, to resolve this matter.

“As a business we fully support the local municipality chasing all outstanding bills, regardless of them being commercial or domestic as this is the only way the municipality can provide the services expected from them.”

• Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging apparently owes ELM R443 953.08 and was slapped with a final written notice of demand on Monday to pay within three days.
• The electricity of the South African Police Service (SAPS) Training Center (that apparently owes ELM R700 000.00) was switched off on Monday.