Thanks to intervention by the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus), the Thabazimbi Local Municipality (Thabazimbi, Northam, Rooiberg, Leeuwpoort) reconnected a local business’s electricity today after it was unlawfully disconnected on 23 July 2025.
The party, however, still demands accountability for the Municipality’s unlawful actions and the subsequent financial losses.
Upon repeatedly visiting the municipal offices, the business owner was informed that the electricity supply would only be restored once the owner of the premises where the business is located settled their outstanding municipal debt.
The condition is illegal as the tenant’s electricity account is not in arrears, and the Municipal Systems Act does not permit tenants to be penalised for a property owner’s debt.
In addition, a basic electricity charge of R2 145,96 (excluding VAT) was billed to the business’s account even though the power supply had been disconnected.
The disconnection forced the business to incur significant costs for alternative power generation just to maintain basic operations. As a result, the business suffered severe financial losses and faces the risk of closure.
In the Freedom Front Plus’s view, this is a shining example of how the party protects businesses against municipalities’ mismanagement and unfair practices.
The Freedom Front Plus will keep holding the Municipality accountable so that this does not happen again. The party will also insist that the business be compensated for its losses.
