Power reprieve for EMLM
Local business forum Phakamisi Komani, in partnership with the Border-Kei Chamber of Business (BKCOB), has interdicted Eskom via the Grahamstown High Court to prevent power cuts in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM).
Power cuts were due to have started on Tuesday.
The Rep reported (“Countdown to a blackout”, November 16) that EMLM mayor Sisisi Tolashe said during a special council meeting last week that the local authority owed Eskom R147m and Eskom had requested R85m to prevent electricity interruptions.
Last Thursday, Phakamisi Komani and BKCOB served Eskom and EMLM with a notice of motion to take the matter to court in order prevent the power utility from continuing with its intention to interrupt the power supply.
A statement from the business formation’s attorneys via forum spokespersons Jacques van Zyl and Nico de Jager indicated that after receiving court papers, EMLM and Eskom agreed that Eskom could only do so after a three-week notice was issued to the public.
“The applicant also asked that EMLM and Eskom to enter into a payment plan in three days, and that the payment plan be made a court order, that an official from EMLM report to the court on a monthly basis and that the electricity account be ring-fenced and be used for electricity only.”
During the mayoral stakeholders meeting on Tuesday, Tolashe said after negotiations with Eskom, they agreed that the municipality would pay the initially proposed amount of R45m by the end of November and no later than December 7.
New administrator at EMLM, Vuyo Mlokoti, confirmed a meeting with the Eastern Cape Eskom representatives on November 1 to discuss debt and new tariffs.
“Eskom said they want us to make a pledge to pay a set amount of R84m on the day. We said we would not be able to pay that and we pledged to pay half of that amount by November.
“We discussed technical issues. We know our infrastructure is old. We want them to assist us in the audit of our infrastructure as we have a report that has been produced by our team, but it needs the kind of technical detail done by Eskom.”
Eskom was asked to assist with the installation of tamper-free meter boxes, but written confirmation was needed.
EMLM had provided a list of 10 priorities which it needed in terms of help from Eskom.
Eskom spokesperson Zama Mpondwana confirmed the power utility had suspended electricity supply interruptions after a payment agreement was reached.
“Eskom reserves its right to effect credit control measures as stipulated in the supply agreement between Eskom and the municipality and as per its obligations to collect all revenue due to it, as required by the Public Finance Management Act. Should EMLM deviate from the agreement, Eskom will resume with the electricity supply interruptions after issuing a 14-day notice.”
See page 16 for the DA’s statement on power.