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Eight towns in Free State face electricity disconnections due to ANC muncipalities' non-payments
DA writes to Public Protector and Minister of Energy over latest development
Public participation notification by ESKOM to paying consumers is a red herring





The Democratic Alliance (DA) has written to the Public Protector over a new development that eight towns in the Free State face electricity disconnection on 23 November 2010, as a consequence of the failure of ANC municipalities to pay their bills. The disconnections will affect the towns of Kroonstad, Viljoenskroon, Steynsrus, Parys, Vredefort, Heilbron, Koppies and Edenville.

In addition, ESKOM issued two public participation notifications to discuss the possible termination of the electricity supply to the Nqwathe and Mohaka municipalities in the northern Free State. The notifications indicate that both municipalities owe ESKOM more than R32 million each.

In an unprecedented move ESKOM now expects "interested parties" - ratepayers' groups and the likes - to make presentations to the Retail Manager of ESKOM, citing why the power should or should not be terminated. This, we believe, is a massive red herring. The fact is that the fault here lies not with ordinary citizens but with ANC municipalities, who have chronically failed to pay their electricity bills. Any suggestion otherwise is patently absurd.

ESKOM had several interventions with the municipalities to remedy their account status. These interventions have thus far proven to be unsuccessful.

It is highly significant that a special committee was established by the Free State Premier in August 2010 and that ESKOM as a member of the committee accepted the responsibility to attend to the non payments of ESKOM accounts. It is also clear that the committee did not fulfil its mandate and that there was non-compliance to the implementation of Treasury regulations, by the Mohaka and Nqwathe Municipalities.

Due to the seriousness and urgency of the matter I have interacted with the office of the Public Protector citing my official complaint of 6 July 2010 regarding a previous disconnection notice of ESKOM.

I have made it clear that the position of ordinary citizens must be considered and respected. Ordinary South Africans cannot be held responsible for the maladministration of these dysfunctional municipalities.

I have today also written to the Minister of Energy Dipuo Peters, and the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Traditional Affairs and Housing, Mr Mosibenzi Zwane, to urge their intervention and to protect the energy security of residents.