The municipalities in the Free State are being so mismanaged by the ANC government that they cannot even keep to their payment agreements that were hastily entered into during a time of great urgency.
Since December 2016, various municipalities have entered into payment agreements with Eskom to keep their residents from being shrouded in darkness due to non-payment.
Many of the municipalities, including Masilonyana (Theunissen, Winburg, Brandfort, Verkeerdevlei), Tokologo (Dealesville, Hertzogville, Boshof), Dihlabeng (Bethlehem, Paul Roux, Clarens, Fouriesburg), Matjhabeng (Welkom, Odendaalsrus, Hennenman, Allanridge), Nala (Bothaville, Wesselsbron) and Maluti-a-Phofung (Harrismith, Phuthaditjhaba), did not honour their payment agreements with Eskom and consequently residents will most likely have to endure power cuts reminiscent of load shedding.
Earlier today, Eskom announced that the electricity supply to Dihlabeng and Nala will be cut off on a load shedding basis from 06:00 to 08:00 in the mornings and 17:00 to 19:30 in the evenings on weekdays.
Extended load shedding hours is also still a possibility for Tokologo. Late Thursday afternoon, a further payment agreement was reached between Eskom and Masilonyana Local Municipality.
At the end of December 2017, the municipalities in the Free State owed Eskom approximately R5.8 billion and their total outstanding creditors amounted to R9.7 billion. It is absolutely unacceptable that municipalities owe such vast amounts to creditors, of which Eskom is the greatest; this is as a result of the ruling party’s mismanagement and incompetence.
Municipalities simply can't keep entering into payment agreements that they don’t honour, because as a consequence paying residents have to endure load shedding.
Contact details: 082 674 6670
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