Staff Reporter
National power utility Eskom has served a Free State municipality with a notice to restrict power to the area starting next week as it has fallen behind in settling its overdue account.
Should the Masilonyana Local Municipality – which includes the towns of Theunissen, Brandfort, Winburg and Verkeerdevlei – fail to settle the arrears or come up with an acceptable payment plan, the area could experience daily scheduled electricity outages between 6am and 8pm starting July 15.
As at June 30, the municipality’s overdue debt to Eskom stood at R74 814 149.35.
In a public statement issued Wednesday, Eskom said the measure is intended to reduce the escalation of the municipality’s debt.
“This is a consequence of the municipality’s failure to pay for the service, thereby breaching its electricity supply agreement with Eskom,” read part of Eskom’s statement.
The notice to Masilonyana municipality was served on June 26.
Eskom said it recognises that the indefinite disconnection of electricity supply may cause undue hardships to consumers and may adversely affect the delivery of other services.
“In view of this, and in order to minimise any hardship to consumers and members of the community, Eskom will restrict electricity supply in a regulated pattern as opposed to an outright disconnection,” it said.
“This will allow members of the community and consumers the opportunity to make alternative arrangements for the scheduled periods.”
The power company said the situation will persist until the municipality has rectified the breach.
The cash-strapped Eskom said Masilonyana municipality’s breach of its payment obligation to Eskom undermines and places in jeopardy the company’s ability to supply electricity nationally on a financially sustainable basis.
It said in terms of the law, Eskom is entitled to withhold electricity supply services to any municipality on account of non-payment of the electricity debt.
Masilonyana spokesperson Zongezile Ntjwabule told The Free Stater by telephone that the municipality would discuss the issue communicate the outcome soon.