MBOMBELA - On Wednesday, DA Caucus Leader for the City of Mbombela Local Municipality (CMLM), Steve Schormann, issued a statement addressing Eskom's announcement to cut the supply of power to the City of Mbombela, should it not settle its debt on time. In the statement, Schormann said the political party will consider legal action, should it become necessary.

Steve Schormann. Photo: Supplied

“It is with great concern that the DA take note of the threatened Eskom power cut to be implemented in the City of Mbombela, as was publicised by Eskom today. 

It came to our attention that the City Council currently owes Eskom an amount of R152 million. This includes the present month's account off approximately R90 million. The latter has to be paid to Eskom by November 6, thus leaving the City Council with a debt off roughly R60 million. 

According to reports the acting Municipal Manager (MM), Neil Diamond together with acting Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Wiseman Khumalu, entered into negotiations with Eskom earlier this week regarding a down-payment of the outstanding amount. For reasons unknown to us, this proposal was not accepted by Eskom management. The City Council was informed accordingly late on Wednesday. 

According to a press release from the office of the MM, they are busy with discussions on national level, to ensure that an agreement can be reached with Eskom to prevent the implementation of power cuts. 

The DA will monitor the situation closely, and will, in collaboration with Provincial and National Leadership, consider legal action should it be required.”

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