Power cuts could start in November

Eskom has taken further steps in the process to interrupt the bulk electricity supply to the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM) for failure to pay its current account.

An advert in the Daily Dispatch yesterday indicated that EMLM owed the power utility R53.4m.

Eskom spokesperson Zama Mpondwana, speaking on the public notice of intent to interrupt electricity in EMLM, said there had been no communication from either the local or district municipalities to arrange for payment.

The Rep reported (“CHDM to assist EMLM”, September 21) that Chris Hani District Municipality (CHDM) spokesperson Thobeka Mqamelo said in a statement that the municipality had offered to pay R10m to Eskom on behalf of Enoch Mgijima.

“Since the establishment of the amalgamation processes, Enoch Mgijima has been inundated with financial challenges. A number of engagements between CHDM and Enoch Mgijima mayoral committees and executive management were convened to find means of collaboration and support between the two. The Eskom debt was one that was discussed.”

Mpondwana said on Wednesday, “We are now at a stage where we will issue a notice and invite the public to submit comments on why they think power should not be interrupted. If, after this stage, we still have not received any communication, our last notice will be a schedule of interruption.”

The notice indicates Komani and Tarkastad will be affected, with outages in week one from 6am to 9am and weekends from 8.30am to midday. From week two, the outages will be from 6am to 8pm all week.

Such interruptions will start on November 20 if the matter has not yet been resolved. The final notice will be published on November 5.

The Eskom payment uncertainty comes when the municipality had power outages on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. EMLM spokesperson Fundile Feketshane said the account would be paid on Friday.