This is according to the latest report by the Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane. She found - after an investigation into the electricity tariffs of these towns – that the municipality unlawfully increased the price of the electricity. DA Councillor Peter Halse registered a complaint with the Office of the Public Protecter in November 2018, indicating that the municipality signed a service level agreement with the power utility, Centlec, without following procedures. In terms of this agreement, the cost of electricity in the municipality was then adjusted upward.

Mkhwebane found that the Municipal Manager at the time increased the electricity tariffs without flowing procedures. He was supposed to conduct a public participation process about the planned hike and get the council to approve the plans. Mkhwebane said although the municipal manager said he did engage the public, no evidence of such a process could be found. She also found that the allegation that there was no council resolution for signing off on the Centlec agreement or the hike to be instituted, was substantiated.

Mkhwebane said it is now up to the municipality and the Provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to determine the financial loss residents suffered and to decide how they should be refunded or credited. She indicated that she was unable to recommend remedial action against Masejane as he passed away earlier this year 

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