A representative of the forum, Ben Deysel, says the agreement is to seal a deal, which initiates Eskom as the distribution agency for electricity in Harrismith.

Deysel says the forum, which consists of more than 200 businesses, has a court order against Eskom and the municipality, which serves as a legal enforcer of this agreement.

“That agreement had been resisted by the previous administration but for about 8 months now there is a new administration which has approved it. That final approval meeting will take place this Friday. I met with them on Monday 19 September 2022, and the assurance was given that the agreement will be approved”.

Deysel adds the municipality’s previous administration had challenges regarding this agreement as some residents and small businesses did not pay for electricity. He further states that irrespective of this challenge, businesses in Harrismith were not experiencing unscheduled power cuts.

OFM News previously reported that businesses in Harrismith were being affected by an electricity crisis, which lasted for a duration of two weeks due to faulty infrastructure. Some businesses could not afford generators, and could not generate revenue as there was a total blackout in the whole of Harrismith.

Meanwhile, Eskom is still in the negotiation stage with the Maluti-A-Phofung (MAP) municipality to have the electricity distribution taken over by Eskom.

The MAP16 spokesperson, Paratlane Motloung, said the new administration restarted the process of discussions to have Eskom assist the municipality after the 2021 local government elections, which initially started under the previous administration before the elections.

The MAP16 head of communications, Mmutlanyane Sekete, says he is confident that on Friday the deal will be approved, as most residents of the municipality indicated that they are in agreement with it during public participation meetings.

OFM News/Mpho Mohapi