eMBALENHLE – The constant power interruptions in the area are negatively affecting learners and students who have to do their school work online.
Most learners and students are relying on the internet and electricity to keep up with their school work and to submit their assignments.
They said when the power is off, the signal also goes off.
Mr Sipho Mahlangu, a student at the University of Johannesburg, said: ” We are affected severely by the electricity outages in the Govan Mbeki Municipality, and what make it worse, is that they are unscheduled and sudden.
“This affects us because we are sometimes unable to participate in class, online quizzes and others like me were unable to do online tests.
“When I asked about the electricity outages and for the schedule, I was told that there is nothing they can do.”
Ms Thandi Ngxonono, executive mayor, apologised for the inconvenience caused by the power interruptions in the area and said the municipality is working around the clock to address power issues in the area.
She said a service provider, Bigen Africa, was appointed to deal with the situation in eMbalenhle and hopes that the project will be completed soon.
“We are facing a challenge of revenue generation, mainly because a huge number of consumers, including businesses in Govan Mbeki Municipality, are not paying for the services being rendered to them.
“It is more dismaying that there are big companies that are not paying for the services, yet they run their businesses on our shores and in the process make huge profits.
“We have subsequently established Operation Ruthula in order to implement a radical revenue generating plan which is currently yielding desired results, albeit not as quickly as we pray it should.
“We are therefore calling on our people to join hands with us and begin to take the issue of paying for their services very seriously.
“We are implementing very drastic and radical measures against defaulters and those who steal electricity.
“We are currently in the process of naming and shaming all businesses that owe the municipality millions in unpaid bills,” said Ms Ngxonono.
“We are also doing everything practically possible to deal with the Eskom account.
“Progressive engagements are continually taking place with Eskom in order to arrive at a workable solution for this particular challenge.
“It is imperative that I should make a clarion call to all our people in this municipality to join hands with us and pay their outstanding accounts to the municipality.”
She said the municipality will focus on intensifying service delivery to the people, with more emphasis placed on electricity.
She said the council is taking radical posture simply because they believe that the people deserve better services immediately.
Also read: Illegal connections are costing Govan Mbeki Municipality
