According to Electricity and Infrastructure MMC, Shashapa Motaung, residents should understand that buying electricity is a must so that the municipality can serve them properly.

"We don't want to find ourselves in a situation exceeding our capabilities in the upcoming winter season,” says Motaung.

According to him, those who don't comply will face penalties that may end up putting them on the wrong side of the law.

Earlier this week, OFM News reported that a community organization, Harrismith Intabazwe Tshiame (HIT) Residents Association, dragged this troubled municipality to court to overturn its decision to disconnect residents from the power grid.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha