Residents of Rand West City can expect an interruption of the electricity supply as of Wednesday, 27 November 2019 and beyond.
The areas to be affected – except those directly supplied by Eskom – are Toekomsrus, Randfontein town and suburbs, Mohlakeng and suburbs, Finsbury, Kocksoord and the surrounding plots that are supplied directly by the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM).
A public notice issued by Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd and published in the Herald on 18 October 2019 reads … “the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) is indebted to Eskom in the amount of R235 621 979 for the bulk supply of electricity, part of which has been outstanding and in escalation since June 2017” and refers to “the electricity debt”.
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“RWCLM’s breach of its payment obligation to Eskom undermines and places in jeopardy Eskom’s ability to continue the national supply of electricity on a financially sustainable basis.
“In terms of both the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act 4 of 2006 and the supply agreement with RWCLM, Eskom is entitled to disconnect the supply of electricity of defaulting municipalities, of which RWCLM is one, on account of non-payment of electricity debt.
“In order to protect the national interest in the sustainability of electricity supply, it has become necessary for Eskom to exercise its right to disconnect the supply of electricity to the RWCLM. Eskom recognises that the indefinite disconnection of electricity supply may cause undue hardship to consumers and members of the community, and may adversely affect the delivery of other services. However, to avoid a catastrophic event this is necessary and urgent.
“In the view of this, Eskom is contemplating a regulated interruption of the electricity supply as opposed to an outright disconnection. The contemplated regulated interruption will allow members of the community and consumers the opportunity to make alternative arrangements for the scheduled periods of interruption.”
The contemplated interruption of electricity supply will result in temporary scheduled disconnection at the following times:
Week 1: From 27 November 2019 – 3 December 2019
• Monday to Friday from 6am to 9am and again from 5pm to 8.30pm
• Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to noon and again from 3pm to 7pm
Week 2: From 4 December 2019 until breach is remedied
• Monday to Friday from 6am to 8pm
• Saturday and Sunday from 6am to 8pm
The noticed reads further as follows: “Notwithstanding the above indicative times, Eskom may, upon 15 calendar days’ notice, reserve the right to disconnect electricity entirely and indefinitely should the electricity debt situation not improve.
“Eskom hereby invites all affected parties to submit written representations, comments or submissions indicating why Eskom should or should not proceed with the contemplated interruption or disconnection, as the case may be.
“Public representations, submissions, comments or requests for further information should be submitted to:
Senior Manager Customer Services
Physical address: Megawatt Park, No 1 Maxwell Drive, Sunninghill, Sandton.
Postal address: PO Box 1091, Johannesburg, 2000 SA
Tel: 011 711 2825/ 63/ 13
E-mail: MokwenD@eskom.co.za
“The closing date for public representations, submissions or requests for further information will be end of business.
“Such public representations submissions or requests for further information will be considered by Eskom, and the final decision will be published in a notice in the week of 19 November 2019.”
Please note: The notice does not specify when the closing date for submissions is, stating simply “end of business”.
