WC to spend R88.8m to mitigate load shedding

THE WESTERN Cape has taken an emergency action short-term measure of R88.8 million to mitigate load shedding in the province’s municipalities.

Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC Mireille Wenger authorised the release of the emergency funds following a decision taken at last week’s provincial executive committee.

The move comes after Eskom on Sunday said Stage 4 load shedding would be the norm until further notice.

In a statement, Wenger, Premier Alan Winde and Local Government MEC Anton Bredell said the funds would be allocated to the Department of Local Government for the procurement of back-up generators for the treatment and supply of water services.

Wenger listed strict conditions attached to the expenditure including that the authorised amount must be reported to the provincial legislature and the auditor-general within 14 days.

She said: “Expenditure in this regard must be included either in the next provincial adjustments budget for the financial year in which it is authorised, or in other appropriation legislation tabled in the provincial legislature within 120 days of the Finance MEC authorising the expenditure.”

Load shedding with the subsequent electricity disruptions are having severe consequences on the continuous treatment and supply of water services across the province.

Municipalities say one of their most critical emergency needs is assistance with once-off funding to acquire generators.

Bredell said municipalities across the province had already spent R203.7m this financial year from their budgets to procure back-up generators, diesel and other ancillaries to deal with load shedding.

The funding would enable 24 local municipalities and the five district municipalities to keep providing basic services such as potable water and hygienic and environmentally safe sewerage, “even when Eskom cannot keep the lights on”.

Winde said the release of the funds showed the urgency needed to address the knock-on effects of relentless power cuts on essential basic services.

He said the province was working hard on a number of medium to longer-term strategies to respond to the crisis.