We are still in the dark about whether Eskom is definitely going to interrupt bulk electricity to Emalahleni Local Municipality.
Talks have been going on for the past week, but thus far no agreement has been reached.
The municipality is still facing an impossible task of paying more than R400-million to prevent possible bulk interruptions within this month.
“We are in the process of putting a significant alternative amount in place and in principle received agreement from Eskom to meet later this week to discuss our proposals. I am still convinced that we will find a solution but need to caution that the insufficient support by businesses, government and households to settle their arrears are making this process more difficult,” said Mr Theo van Vuuren, municipal manager.
The council again urges residents to ensure that their municipal accounts are paid in full to avoid being cut off and penalised. In trying to encourage customers to bring arrear accounts in good standing, council has in terms of the credit policy, decided to enforce the following incentives: apply a 10% discount on current account payments if accounts are paid in full on or before the third of the month; on arrears of shorter than 90 days, waive interest plus 10% of the capital amount; on arrears of between 90 and 180 days waive interest plus 50% of capital; on arrears of older than 180 days waive interest plus 50% of capital; on partial payments of above 50% will only be considered for waiving of interest.
The capital discount is capped at R50 000, except in exceptional cases which further discounts can be negotiated.
These incentives are applicable from January 16 until March 31.
“Should customers not have made arrangements by March 31 2017 or have settled their accounts in full, those customers will be cut off and defaulters blacklisted,” Van Vuuren concluded.
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