Sol Plaatje Municipality has started the process to disconnect the electricity to 1,985 residents who are in arrears
THE SOL Plaatje Municipality has advised city residents whose accounts are in arrears to approach the local authority to make the necessary arrangements before their electricity is disconnected.
The municipality said on Monday that it has started the process to disconnect the electricity to 1,985 residents with prepaid power meters who are in arrears.
Municipal spokesperson Thoko Riet said that residents whose accounts are in arrears for more than 60 days will be disconnected.
“We have sent out notices to residents to ensure that their accounts are up to date in order that they do not run the risk of their electricity being disconnected,” said Riet.
Some city residents have, however, complained that their electricity has been disconnected even though their accounts are up to date.
A Roodepan resident said she was left in the dark on the weekend when the municipality disconnected her electricity.
“I was surprised to find that my lights did not go on when I flicked the switch early on Friday morning. I at first thought that there might be a power cut. However, I later saw that my neighbour had electricity at her house. I then checked my electricity box and saw that there were no units showing on it. I went to the municipality and told them about the problem. I was told by one of the employees that the problem might be that my account was arrears, however, when she checked my details it turned out that my account was indeed up to date. My power was, however, only reconnected on Monday morning,” the resident said on Monday.
Riet said that the municipality has staff on standby to assist residents who believe that their electricity has been unfairly cut.
“We encourage residents to come and make arrangements with the municipality should they suspect that their electricity was cut unfairly. They will have to come with their necessary proof of payment of their accounts. There are staff from the municipality on standby who will be able to assist and check on the system whether accounts are in arrears or up to date. If the electricity is unfairly cut then we can connect the power immediately,” she said.
Riet also urged indigent residents to approach the municipality to make arrangements.
