Bulk power cuts postponed for now

Eskom has suspended bulk electricity supply interruptions to the cash-strapped Nala Local Municipality in the Free State.

Suspension is till 28 August to give the trouble-ridden municipality time to make payment to its huge debt worth R180 972 200,62 to the power supplier.

Eskom issued a statement on Monday (13/08) stating that electricity supply interruptions to the Nala Municipality was planned for Tuesday (14/08), but was postponed to 28 August.

The postponement follows discussions between Eskom and authorities of the Nala Municipality administering Bothaville and Wesselsbron. The municipality is expected to make payments by 17 August.

“Failure to pay the agreed amount by 17 August will result in the interruption of bulk electricity supply to Bothaville and Wesselsbron on 28 August,” said Titi Makhetha, provincial Eskom spokesperson.

The Nala Municipality, admi­nistered by the ANC, is one of the three municipalities in the province which are hugely indebted to Eskom. The other are Tokologo and Masilonyana.

All these municipalities must still pay huge amounts to settle their respective debts to the power supplier.

Authorities of these embattled municipalities made a payment in 26 June to avoid interruption of bulk power supply.

Eskom’s plans to implement interruption on bulk power supply came after these muni­cipalities had breached repayment agreements signed with Eskom.

• The three municipalities are part of the nine in the province classified as dysfunctional, and among the 87 nationally placed under ministerial intervention by the minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), Dr Zweli Mkhize. The debt of these nine municipalities is: Tokologo: R36 464 659,52;) Masilonyana: R48 521 535,27;) Nala: R180 972 200,62;) Nketoana: R163 935 774,35;) Maluti-A-Phofung: R2 627 895 261,10;) Matjhabeng: R1 742 710 459,06; and) Dihlabeng: R192 972 097,83.