The Naledi Local Municipality yesterday cut off the electricity supply to Eskom’s offices in Vryburg due to an outstanding account.
“An anonymous telephone call indicated that the incident most probably took place; I went to investigate at Eskom’s offices and found that it was locked. A security guard informed me that the electricity was cut off and that the offices were closed,” says Alta Pretorius-Swart, AfriForum’s Regional Coordinator for Stellaland.
In a follow-up telephone call, the Acting Municipal Manager, Conny Malefo, explained that Eskom’s electricity account was in arrears, even though Eskom denies this. The Municipality asked the electricity giant to schedule a meeting so that the account can be reconciled. According to Malefo, Eskom failed to do this and as such their electricity was cut off.
“The residents of Vryburg are despondent. The sword of electricity interruptions is already hanging over their heads, seeing as the Municipality is apparently not able to get its hands on the funds needed to keep the town’s electricity on. One can only think of the consequences that this action of Naledi will have on the town and the consumers,” says Pretorius-Swart.
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