Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Soret Viljoen.
The DA is demands that Tswaing Local Municipality repay the R13.6 million unlawfully charged to prepaid electricity meter account holders over the past 10 years. The DA has submitted evidence to the Finance Portfolio and Executive Council, and action must be taken immediately to recover the stolen funds and reimburse affected residents.
Since 2015, Tswaing Local Municipality has been charging a basic electricity tariff on prepaid electricity meter accounts. However, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has never approved such a tariff for Tswaing Local Municipality.
Over the past decade, Tswaing Local Municipality has unlawfully levied R9 648 067 on the residents of Delareyville, R2 425 091 on the residents of Sannieshof, and R1 559 619 on the residents of Ottosdal. The DA presented evidence, including records of approximately 85 account holders and 10 years of NERSA approvals, to the Finance Portfolio and the Executive Council of Tswaing, urging the Council to repay the amount of R13.6 million to account holders.
However, the Executive Council, led by Municipal Manager Sello Maroga, Finance Manager Johannes Mogoemang, Mayor Norah Mahlangu, and ANC councillors Puseletso Mokoto and Zane Molehabangwe, obstructed any decision to rectify this injustice.
It is deeply concerning that the ANC-governed municipality has admitted guilt in the report submitted to the Finance Portfolio yet refuses to correct the mistake and pay back the R13.6 million stolen from residents over 10 years.
The DA has already requested an in-depth investigation by NERSA in an attempt to stop this theft and recover account holders’ money. We will continue to fight for justice and accountability to protect residents from this exploitation.