BETHAL – While the municipality has seen the appointment of Ms Elizabeth “Lizzy” Tshabalala, director for Community Services, as the acting municipal manager and the suspension of Mr Felani Mndebele, all are mum regarding what is actually going to be done for residents who are facing powerless days and nights.
Ridge Times has since obtained a document of bypassing of the system completed by a Mr Mbatha, who is a technician for GMM.
On this document in the remarks section is written: “meter temporary bypassed, due to (crossed out) customer unable to purchase.”
GMM spokesman and head of communications, Mr Benzi Soko said the response and reasoning from the director for technical services was that they are “grappling with the vending systems.”
The Ridge Times then asked if this is one system being bypassed, how many other systems are being bypassed?
“This is the response from Director for Technical Services,” said Mr Soko.
Legal action against GMM, Gert Sibande District Municipality and Eskom is still continuing.
MacRobert Attorneys, based in Pretoria, sent a letter to the Bethal & eMzinoni Community for Services Association (Becs) stating that they confirm they have finalised its application in terms whereof it will seek an order from the High Court in Middelburg, which is a document consisting of over 140 pages.
The application is against GMM and municipal office in Secunda, Gert Sibande District Municipality, MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs for the province of Mpumalanga, Eskom Holdings in Johannesburg and the Minister Co-orporate Governance and Traditional Affairs in Pretoria.
Mr Ziyaad Dangor, media spokesperson for Becs, said: “Our attorneys have once again stated that they have not opted for a quick fix approach but rather a more structured and balanced approach.
“They have also applied to the court to make an order that the parties constantly report to the court advising of its dealing and progress in reaching a long term sustainable solution to the electricity crises faced in Bethal and eMzinoni.
“The attorneys also mentioned, in their experience, a quick fix approach does not last for very long.
Mr Dangor said a court date is still awaited and to date an amount of R300 000 had been raised.
“We want to thank once again those who have contributed.
“We are finally at the court’s door step. It has taken a long time, but again this is the right approach,” ended Mr Dangor.
