It is going to be a bumpy ride since three sets of circumstances will dictate the future of residents in Standerton.
Lekwa Municipality’s abysmal record of honouring their Eskom-account, load-shedding from Eskom and the arrests at Tutuka Power Station.
Mr Zethembe Khoza, former acting CEO, said a few years ago that non-payment for electricity, undermines Eskom’s statutory obligation to generate and supply electricity to municipalities on a financially sustainable basis.
The administrator of Lekwa, Mr Johann Mettler, recently had the following comment in his Section 39-report.
“The biggest problem in the municipality relates to availability of reliable electricity daily and energy security in the long term.”
The Standerton Advertiser asked Mr Gary van Aswegen, chairman of Vaal Business Forum, on Thursday, November 11 whether the court case, scheduled for November 20, is still on track.
The notified maximum demand of 55 lies at the crux of the issue.
Mr Van Aswegen confirmed the following day that court proceedings, as planned, will take place in Bloemfontein.
Lekwa Ratepayers Association established the chamber earlier the year to be a vehicle for litigation.
Mr Mettler recently said fruitful engagements were held with the power utility, regarding an increase in the notified maximum demand, and also said national treasury is involved.
According to him, negotiations were at a more advanced stage than anytime in the past.
Eskom implemented load-shedding on Friday, November 5 and two Tutuka-employees and one outside supplier were apprehended. Tutuka by all accounts, is responsible for 41% of all Eskom’s fuel oil and does not really make a dent in generating electricity.
The CEO of Eskom, Mr André de Ruyter, said the past week that Eskom and in particular Tutuka, continue to be the scene of the most despicable of crimes.
Ms Jessie Kubeka, Ms Nomsa Sibiya and Mr Solomon Twala, accused of theft, fraud and corruption, appeared in the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Friday, November 5.
They were remanded on bail of R5 000 each and the case was postponed to February 21, 2022.
The charges are among others related to the disappearance of spares at Tutuka.
Ms Sibiya is a senior technician, Mr Twala a senior store-man and Ms Kubeka a 51% shareholder in a supply company.
Capt Mark Nortjé of Standerton Police was accompanied by Mr Weideman van Wyk of Drone Ops Special Investigating Team on Thursday, November 4.
The investigation has been going on close to three months and files, carried under the arms, were part of their armour.
A whistle-blower at Eskom alerted authorities to the misconduct earlier this year and it could be established that more than one case, relating to Tutuka, are under scrutiny.
Eskom in the meanwhile issued a statement, saying hundreds of millions of rand are involved.
The power utility referred to a fuel oil syndicate, citing a monthly figure of about R1m worth of oil.
According to their statement, Eskom paid for goods and services which have not been delivered, nor rendered.
Equipment to the value of R1,3-billion has reportedly been stolen and creative paperwork, such as false invoices for tankers, discovered.
Low-grade-coal seemingly was the order of the day and stones and metal were reportedly found in the coal.
Four other suspects were expected to be apprehended and more warrants of arrest were being prepared.
Mr De Ruyter also referred to the arrests, saying it goes a long way towards making a positive contribution to the rebuilding of the organisation.
The Standerton Advertiser sent a message to the communications manager of Lekwa. Ms Thobeka Mtshiselwa, via WhatsApp, on Thursday, November 11.
Enquiries were made as to the exact current amount that Lekwa owes Eskom and if talks with Eskom are ongoing.
No reply was forthcoming at the time of going to press.
