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The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes with concern Eskom’s tactics to recover overdue debts by the cash-strapped Tokologo Local Municipality. The municipality owes Eskom over R200 million in accumulated debt and Eskom has in the recent past used the community as a negotiation tool to get funds from the municipality.

On 29 September, Eskom disconnected electricity on pole number: SDW136-435-18 which supplies electricity to the Dealesville Water Pump Station. This is a deliberate violation of the communities Human Rights by Eskom. The community has been left stranded without water for almost a week as Eskom is unwilling to negotiate with the municipality regarding further payment arrangements.

The major concern is that innocent ratepayers and the community at large are being abused by Eskom as their rights to clean and drinkable water are violated by this act of sabotage to the water pumps. The municipality has no excuse and must pay Eskom as per previous arrangements. We will hold the executive accountable for the deliberate pain inflicted on our communities. Additionally, we condemn Eskom for disconnecting electricity and disrupting the water supply to the innocent end-users who are paying for their services.

The DA has lodged a formal complaint with the Human Rights Commission against Eskom as this is not the first time Eskom has switched off electricity at the water pumps to recover overdue debts from the municipality. This act leads to unauthorized expenditure as the municipality must find alternative means to get water to the community, opening the door for tenderpreneurs who are always ready to profit from the plight of our people.

Issued by Hismajesty Maqhubu - DA Councillor Tokologo Local Municipality