AfriForum approaches Eskom about threat to cut Tshwane Metro’s power
The civil rights organisation AfriForum today sent a letter to Eskom in which the organisation requests that Eskom investigate alternatives to collect fees from the Tshwane Metro rather than cutting off the power.
This follows after Eskom issued a notice today in which the power company threatens to cut off Tshwane Metro’s power due to the metro’s failure to fulfill their agreement with Eskom and make their monthly payment.
The metro has an overdue bill of R1.6 billion, of which R68 million has already been paid to Eskom.
Although AfriForum understands that there is an agreement between Eskom and the Tshwane Metro for the payment of this account, it will have drastic consequences for the residents of Pretoria, who do faithfully pay their bills every month, if the power is turned off.
“A dispute between state organs is not supposed to harm communities,” says Dewet Ungerer, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria South. “AfriForum will make all possible efforts to enter into discussions with Eskom and the Tshwane Metro about possible alternatives that will not leave the faithful taxpayer in the dark.”
“It is unfair to punish residents, who pay their bills to the municipality, because of the Tshwane Metro’s failure to honor their payment agreement with Eskom,” says Sampie Steinberg, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for Greater Pretoria North.
Get involved with a local AfriForum branch today by sending an email to gemeenskapsake.navrae@afriforum.co.za.
