Northern Cape residents fuming over possible power cuts
THE ELECTRICITY supply of ratepayers in the Ga Segonyana municipality is being suspended for consumers who are in arrears, although residents have not been receiving their accounts.
The Freedom Front Plus (FF+) yesterday requested intervention from the Ga Segonyana municipality, the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs and national Treasury.
Chairperson of the FF+ legal committee Theo Joubert said that they were aware of about 160 households in Kuruman whose electricity supply would be disconnected.
“Our branch in Kuruman said their power supply of some residents had already been cut, without notice. Further steps including legal action and criminal charges will be opened, should we not be given an appropriate response, within the next seven days. The municipality does not comply with the legal requirements regarding the availability and distribution of account statements to consumers.”
He stated that residents had not been receiving their municipal accounts for up to two years.
“Ratepayers have been making payments calculated on average estimates and were suddenly slapped with final demand for payment amounting to thousands of Rands plus interest. Property tax is also being charged in contravention of the law.”
“We are demanding that the power be restored to households without having to pay a re-connection fee.”
The letter that was addressed to the municipality, Coghtsa and Treasury, stated that the Ga-Segonyana municipality was plunged into crisis where disciplinary action should be instituted against municipal officials for gross financial misconduct.
“Non-compliance has adversely affected the Constitutional rights of ratepayers. We request an investigation to be lodged into the management of finances at the municipality as well as the dereliction of duties of the municipal manager, senior officials and the municipal council. “
“Ratepayers are not able to ascertain whether the amounts due on their accounts are accurate nor are they able to lodge any dispute with regard to specific rates, tariffs and consumption billed for. Requests for detailed statements of accounts are refused by the municipality.”
Joubert added that similar action would follow at Phokwane and Gamagara municipalities, where residents in the same situation where they were also not receiving their municipal statements.
“We are waiting with bated breath to hear if our electricity in Hartswater will be cut. Apart from the outstanding municipal bills, Eskom warned of electricity cuts on January 15 due to non-payment. Phokwane municipality assured us that an agreement was reached with Eskom, although we do not have anything in writing.”
Gamagara municipality in November had urged ratepayers to keep their payments up to date as it owes Eskom R55 million and Sedibeng Water R8 million.
The municipality has experienced billing problems over the past two years, where the service providers have not been able to generate municipal statements.
The municipality was issued with notices of bulk electricity supply interruptions in December and water cuts in January because of the escalating debts.
Spokesman for Ga-Segonyana municipality David Mabudi denied that any municipal services were being interrupted.
“If anyone is in arrears they can come in and make a payment arrangement. Once we are in receipt of the letter from the FF+ we will be able to respond accordingly.”
The Department of Coghsta stated that it would be able to respond today.