ActionSA welcomes measures taken by Eskom to recover debt from ELM
ActionSA called on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to intervene on this matter and ensure that ELM is placed under administration urgently.
SEDIBENG. – ActionSA has welcomed Eskom’s move to attach the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s (ELM) bank accounts to recover debt of around R8b in order to comply with National Treasury’s Debt Relief Programme.
The party said in a statement that the attachment of a bank account is a procedure commonly used by government bodies to recover debt from individuals and legal entities. If done correctly, it will ensure that ELM’s bank accounts are frozen and the money in the bank account is then paid to Eskom.
“This radical move will help Eskom recover its much-needed debt, but at the expense of rate-paying citizens who continue to suffer from over six years of a dysfunctional and corrupt administration. ActionSA notes that despite a resolution on June 11, 2018 to place ELM under administration in terms of Section 139 (1)(b)(i) of the Constitution, no action has been taken to-date.”
ActionSA’s Gauteng Caucus Leader Funzi Ngobeni said that ActionSA maintains its position, that if Gauteng does not want to dissolve ELM as agreed, it should implement a metering system to adequately measure the consumption of power and electricity for each user.
“The regular monitoring of such a system, as well as clear billing policies are vital to ensure effective and efficient revenue collection. In addition, residents should receive bills on a regular basis, with clear outlines of consumption and applicable charges,” Ngobeni said.
ActionSA called on Premier Panyaza Lesufi to intervene on this matter and ensure that ELM is placed under administration urgently in order to return much-needed services to rate-paying citizens.
Meanwhile, the ELM said that it has approached the High Court to seek relief on the matter regarding attachment of bank account(s) by Eskom.
“The ELM has approached the High Court to seek relief on the matter regarding attachment of bank accounts by Eskom. The municipality has also written to the Premier of Gauteng and MEC of Local Government regarding the status of the municipality’s attached accounts. Internal stakeholder engagements with Labour and Council are also ongoing municipality has also written to the Premier of Gauteng and MEC of Local
Government regarding the status of the municipality’s attached accounts. Internal stakeholder engagements with Labour and Council are also ongoing.”
