SABRINA DEAN – Eskom says it remains hopeful three Free State Municipalities will revert to it with realistic payment plans by the end of this week.
Spokesperson Andrew Etzinger says the power supply company is placing its trust in the process and commitments recently agreed to during a top level meeting involving two ministers.
Eskom was due to disconnect power to Maluti-a-Phofung, Dihlabeng and Ngwathe Municipalities on October 3 over collective arrears of R736-million. However, the disconnection was averted at the last minute, allegedly after a meeting involving the Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown and Cooperative Governance Minister Pravin Gordhan.
Etzinger says Eskom is aware of a Free State High Court interdict preventing the disconnection until the matter is heard on December 3, but says it is focusing on the commitments given for the end of this week. He adds that Eskom’s legal team is currently assessing options.
Provincial Government has meanwhile announced the formation of a task team. According to a statement, the team will further refine payment plan proposals to be presented to Eskom for consideration.
