While government officials are engaging in ‘intense discussions’ to avert a looming electricity outage in Mooi River, residents are anxiously waiting for a long-term outcome on a ‘desperate situation’.
Although a short-term agreement was reached on Saturday, residents could still face the reality of power cuts if the Mpofana Local Municipality is unable to start repaying the R123 million debt it owes to Eskom.
READ THIS: Municipal officials linked to allegations of fraud and corruption
Last week was fraught with intense negotiations after Eskom published a notice in a national newspaper indicating its intention to implement electricity interruptions daily beginning on July 8 at 6am.
The local municipality immediately filed an urgent interdict to prevent Eskom from rolling out the interruptions and this was granted on Saturday, this is a temporary measure.
On Monday morning residents experienced a power interruption between 6am and 9am but according to Cogta, Eskom was not informed of the interdict.
One of the remaining members of the Mooi River Ratepayers Association Rick Fell who met with a team from Mpofana and the Mooi River Farmers Association in Pietermaritzburg last week said that while the temporary injunction has been granted, it was now up to each and every Mpofana resident to file an affidavit that could influence Eskom’s decision in favour of the municipality.
“Everyone is bearing the burden of very poor administration at Mpofana and is very much on edge. It is a desperate solution,” said Mr Fell.
A Mooi River businessman and resident who spoke on condition of anonymity, citing that he did not want to ‘create any political tension’ says that the community started to hear rumours about escalating debt owed to Eskom mid-last year and at the time, the debt was rumoured to be at R70 million.
He added that articles were circulated about the pending cut-offs about three months ago. “This was taken for granted,” he said.
“We were also only formally addressed by the municipality on the Friday prior to Monday’s cut off. At the meeting held at the Mooi River Farmers Hall, it was said that Mpofana’s Eskom bill is R10 million per month and only R6 million is being recovered. The main concerns raised were if power was cut off, the unrest from local communities could cost citizens of Mooi River millions worth of damages to private property,” added the businessman.
A Bruntville resident who chose to remain anonymous says that most of the older residents are not even aware of the looming power interruptions.
“The young people know because it has been broadcast on social media but the older people are listening to what others are saying. When the electricity went out on Monday, it was then that they realised what was happening. I hope that a resolution is reached because it would be difficult, especially in winter,” said the resident.
Mpofana Local Municipality declined to comment, requesting that questions be directed to Cogta.
READ THE FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK’S ESTCOURT NEWS
NOW READ: Suspected arson attack causes power outage in Mooi River
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter
