AfriForum prepares for court application re municipal debt to Eskom

The electricity to the communities who fall under the Dihlabeng, Ngwathe and Maluti a Phofung Municipalities will be cut if they do not negotiate an arrangement with Eskom regarding their debt.

These municipalities collectively owe Eskom R736 million. Eskom informed them in July already that their electricity will be cut if they do not pay their outstanding bills. CW Els, Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in the Free State says the problem is attributed to the fact that municipalities do not have control over debt recovery and because they also fail to pay their own debt to Eskom. 

"We consulted with our legal team this morning and we're busy preparing a court application," Els said.

"Eskom is definitely not the guilty party, the problem lies with incompetent municipal officials."

Update: AfriForum elated that Free State lights stay on

The electricity to the communities who fall under the Dihlabeng, Ngwathe and Maluti a Phofung Municipalities will not be cut. Eskom made this arrangement following discussions with various role-players, including AfriForum and the involved municipalities, on condition that the municipalities pay their debt monthly.

"We welcome this decision and the arrangement between Eskom and the municipalities. It's time that municipalities accept responsibility," CW Els, Provincial Coordinator for AfriForum in the Free State said. 

These municipalities collectively owe Eskom R736 million. Eskom informed them in July already that their electricity will be cut if they do not pay their outstanding bills.

The court case between Eskom and respondents, including AfriForum, has been postponed to 7 December 2014. AfriForum will do everything possible to protect the interests of AfriForum members and the interests of their communities.

Statements issued by CW Els, AfriForum Provincial Coordinator: Free State, October 3 2014

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