ROBERT SOBUKWE TOWN NEWS - Eskom recently notified the public that it will reduce the bulk electricity supply to the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM), citing the municipality’s failure to settle its electricity accounts for at least the past 18 months.
This decision, which will only affect the towns of Jansenville, Steytlerville and Willowmore, will be implemented from 8 May and will entail a reduction of electricity supply at certain hours.
The power entity said the municipality has not met the conditions of National Treasury’s municipal debt relief programme, and therefore poses a significant financial risk to Eskom.
The DBNLM was admitted to National Treasury’s municipal debt relief programme on 19 December 2023.
However, according to Eskom, the municipality has persistently failed to meet the requirement of paying its current accounts, which has resulted in an increase of R511 696 643.21 since their admission into the programme up until March this year.
At present, the municipality’s Eskom debt amounts to a staggering R930m.
Public consultation process
Prior to reaching this decision, Eskom initiated a public consultation process to provide the municipality with an opportunity to submit proposals to resolve the matter.
However, according to Eskom, the DBNLM failed to either pass a council resolution to enter into a Distribution Agency Agreement, enter into a prepayment agreement where Eskom only supplies the bulk electricity that the municipality can afford to pay for, or enter into an agreement where the municipality’s customers pay Eskom directly for the consumption of electricity.
Where and when
The towns that will be affected are Jansenville, Steytlerville and Willowmore, where the municipality has its own separate power lines.
Other towns in the municipal area will not be affected because the existing power lines also supply Eskom’s own distribution areas and therefore the electricity supply cannot be reduced.
All stakeholders who are likely to be adversely affected by the decision are accordingly notified that it will be implemented as from 8 May, as follows:
Monday to Friday
- 06:00-09:00
- 17:00-20:30
Saturday and Sunday
- 08:30-12:00
- 15:00-19:00
In terms of the notice, Eskom reserves the right to change the hours of reduction until an agreement is reached or full payment is received.
Municipal response
Mayor Willem Safers responded to Eskom’s notice on behalf of the municipality, stating that the matter is receiving urgent attention and is currently being addressed by the municipality’s legal advisors.
As was stated in response to Eskom’s earlier announcement relating to the initiation of the public consultation process, the municipality again stated that it is engaged in ongoing legal proceedings against Eskom pertaining to various matters, inter alia, disputed arrears, tariff discrepancies, and the historical debt inherited from the municipal amalgamation in 2016.
In addition, the municipality also disputes the accuracy of Eskom’s latest notice.
“Appropriate legal relief is being actively pursued, as the municipality remains committed to protecting the interests of the community and to resolving the matter through all lawful means,” said Safers.
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