Hon Speaker, the DA welcomes the announcement of a special committee to investigate and monitor the electricity crisis in the Free State. The Free State Premier, Ace Magashule, has realised the urgent nature of this crisis that many municipalities in the Free State are facing. Recently most municipalities received notices of disconnection from Eskom due to massive outstanding debts owing to Eskom. About 90% of the debt owed to Eskom by municipalities comes from the Free State municipalities.
The DA has requested the premier and the special committee to invoke section 27 of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act of 2007, which states that each municipality must perform its duty by preparing plans and budgets and then report to the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Cogta, the National Treasury, the Regulator and the consumers of electricity. At the core of the problem is the fact that government must ensure the implementation of Treasury regulations.
The provision of electricity is a core function of municipalities. Yet, so many ANC municipalities fail to do this effectively. Voters in the Free State in next year's local government elections will clearly show their dissatisfaction with the ANC, I presume. If the governing party of a municipality cannot even get the most basic financial management and budgeting right, then it should not be in government. Thank you, Speaker. [Applause.]