Hon Deputy Speaker, the DA has written to the Public Protector about eight towns in the Free State that face electricity disconnection on 23 November 2010 as a consequence of the failure by the ANC administration that runs these municipalities to pay their bills.
In addition, Eskom has issued two public-participation notifications to discuss the possible termination of the electricity supply to the Ngwathe and Mohokare Municipalities in the northern Free State. The notification indicates that both municipalities owe Eskom more than R32 million each.
In an unprecedented move, Eskom now expects interested parties, ratepayer groups and the like, to make presentations to the retail manager of Eskom, citing why the power should or should not be terminated. This, we believe, is a massive red herring. The fact is, the fault here does not lie with the ordinary citizens, but with the ANC municipalities which have chronically failed to pay the electricity bills.
I have made it clear to the Public Protector that the position of ordinary citizens must be considered and respected. Ordinary South Africans cannot be held responsible for the maladministration of these dysfunctional municipalities. Thank you. [Applause.]