This, as Eskom restricts electricity supply to the two municipalities due to non-payment of its services. The power utility’s spokesperson, Stefanie Jansen van Rensburg, confirms the two municipalities has on several occasions failed to adhere to their payment conditions and have now resorted to electricity supply restriction in efforts to recoup the money they are owed. She confirms the Tsantsabane Municipality with a seat in Postmasburg now owes them more than R150 million while the Emthanjeni Municipality, which serves the communities of Britstown, De Aar, and Hanover, owes more than R90 million.  

Jansen van Rensburg says daily interruption of bulk electricity supply will continue from 06h00 until 20h00 at these municipalities until they present a suitable payment plan to Eskom. 

“Eskom advises all consumers who are adversely affected by the withholding of electricity supply services to take all necessary precautions and to treat all electrical equipment as if it was live and dangerous in order to prevent injury and limit damages to their equipment, operations and business,” she said.

Jansen van Rensburg adds electricity supply to the Kamiesberg and Richtersveld Local Municipalities was restored on Wednesday after “both municipalities paid an acceptable portion of their electricity debt to Eskom”. 

OFM News recently reported on how the Auditor-General has expressed concerns over the state of municipalities in the province and how there is a persistent lack of accountability.

AG Kimi Makwetu in his report indicated that only one municipality in this province managed to produce a clean audit for the 2018/19 Local Government Audit Outcomes.

OFM News