Court battle leaves residents in the dark
An ongoing court battle between a landlord and Eskom has left residents of Ikamvalethu Gardens in Highbury, Meyerton without electricity for the past two weeks.
HENLEY-ON-KLIP. – According to one of the tenants who spoke to Vaalweekblad on the condition of anonymity, residents of the complex owned by Alley Roads and managed by Necron Property Management, have been enduring a complete power outage since 28 August 2023, which has left them in dire straits.
“This situation has left tenants at Ikamvalethu Gardens without power for weeks. Tenants are struggling with the financial burden of expensive prepaid electricity, food rotting in the fridge and have had their livelihoods disrupted.”
To make matters worse, residents claim that there has been a severe lack of communication from both Alley Roads and Necron Property Management which has left residents frustrated.
Vaalweekblad has learned that as many as eight tenants have already packed their bags in search of other accommodation.
In a bid to address the ongoing situation Steven Schutte, a representative from Alley Roads, met with residents of the complex on Tuesday afternoon and told them that the situation could endure until at least Thursday, pending the outcome of court proceedings.
It could even take longer.
The landlord offered to write off the rental amount for September.
Nicolette Nortje, an asset manager at Alley Roads, explained to Vaalweekblad that Eskom, who provides power to the site directly, has unduly terminated the power on the site claiming non-payment by the land owner.
“The land owner has taken Eskom to court to have the power turned back on and the court process is being dragged out,” Nortje explained.
According to Nortje the land owner has on several occasions outlined its disputes on Eskom charges and raised issues with Eskom about the NERSA approved charges, which Eskom has ignored completely.
“Eskom is billing the land owner for what it has termed ‘basic charges’ for the site. The basic charges for the site are not monitored by NERSA and thus Eskom is charging rates it wishes top all landowners in the country, yet Eskom should only charge the NERSA approved rates.”
“In a nutshell Eskom is charging ungoverned rates on basic charges over and above the NERSA rates,” Nortje explained.
Vaalweelkblad is still awaiting feedback from Eskom.
