Eskom showed some mercy and announced its decision to suspend the power supply interruptions in eMalahleni for just a little over a week.
The Emalahleni Local Municipality brought an urgent application to the High Court in Pretoria on February 23 in an attempt to stop Eskom from interrupting the electricity supply to the city. They weigh their argument on the fact that the electricity interruptions severely impacts on a basic human right, namely access to water.
Shortly after the municipality launched its urgent application, Eskom made a media statement wherein it suspended the interruption strategy until March 3, subject thereto that Eskom will resume interruptions on March 4 if the defaulting municipality fail to rectify their breach.
Local attorney Mr Johan Coetzee of Johan Coetzee Incorporated brought a successful application to be joined as an interested and affected party to the municipality’s application. Eskom also agreed to refrain from making further electricity cuts until March 7.
On February 24 the municipality withdrew their application against Eskom.
“Following the disastrous impact of the outages, mainly also our water and electrical networks, a meeting at ministerial level took place last week Thursday. Following this meeting further discussions are ongoing and we hope by this week, when a further meeting has been scheduled, we may find a constructive solution to the problem. I am also relieved and pleased that the interruptions have been suspended and therefore to allow these high level discussions to take place, the municipality has withdrawn its urgent court application in good faith,” said Municipal Manager, Mr Theo van Vuuren.
The effect of the Municipality’s withdrawal is that Coetzee, on behalf of the community, is obliged to proceed with his application and claim relief against the municipality and Eskom so as to ensure that the community is provided with a constant electricity supply, subject to a declaration of their rights, and review proceedings against Eskom’s decision that will take its normal course. Coetzee confirmed that they have amended their initial application and they are now seeking an order to join the municipality, the Minister of Public Enterprises as well as The National Energy Regulator (NERSA) as respondents in this matter. The application will be heard in the High Court on Tuesday.
Van Vuuren said the impact on the community and the frustration and reactions thereto are fully understood and shared.
“We are continuing to execute all initiatives and actions to take the municipality forward and our biggest immediate challenge remains the non payment culture which still is dominant with many in our area. Despite the disruptions and also the incentives as well as intensified cut offs, many are still not willing to pay and are reconnecting themselves. We have seen a marginal increase in payments against arrears but also want to thank a large part of our community who have and especially now are ensuring their current accounts are paid early or on time. Should we get everyone to do this and a movement against the arrears we will be out of this problem but, more importantly, will have funds for maintenance and infrastructure, which we urgently need,” Van Vuuren said.
Another concerned group ‘Emalahleni residents against Emalahleni Municipality’ gathered at Indlela Lodge on Wednesday, February 23.
The angry group of people voiced their anger and frustration and decided on a way forward to deal with service delivery problems in eMalahleni.
Mr Boitumelo Madiba, who addressed the residents, said they have agreed that a steering committee be established and meet as soon as possible to pave the way forward.
“Our first appointment will be with Eskom,” Madiba said.
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