The City of Tshwane began cutting the power supply of businesses which owe money for electricity use. On Tuesday the Gautrain Station in Hatfield, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) all had their power cut due to unpaid electricity.
The City of Tshwane has been cutting water and electricity supply of businesses who have not paid arears for over three months. The amount owed is estimated to be around R17 billion or more. The metro says it’s aware of some companies taking it to court.
More businesses have been named and shamed for not paying for electricity use and among them are the Sheraton Hotel, the Office of Police Watchdog IPID and the University of Pretoria. The university has accused the metro of “political grandstanding.”
A ruling was made by the Pretoria High Court on Friday against the metro, requesting it to switch the lights back on at Club Crossing Shopping Centre. The metro could face more court challenges as they continue to cut power supplies of those who do not comply.
The mayoral spokesperson, Sipho Stuurman, said companies are using the courts to force them to reconnect unpaid electricity. He goes on to say that the metro is aware of some businesses who have reconnected to the grid illegally. While some are defiant, he goes on to say that there are some businesses who are complying by making payments for electricity use.
Source: Eyewitness News, News24, Times Live, image from Eyewitness News
