\n The Mayor of the Cape WInelands District Municipality, Dr Elna von Schlicht<\/b>, has slammed the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) for granting an exorbitant tariff hike for Eskom:<\/i>\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On behalf of the Council of the Cape Winelands District Municipality, I wish to express my deep concern for our citizen\u2019s health and safety, which are being compromised by the effects of load shedding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I further wish to state I will not support an increase in electricity costs especially when the supply of electricity is so unreliable that it directly affects the constitutional rights of the residents in the Cape Winelands District.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Cape Winelands currently faces the fact that because of the load shedding local municipal infrastructure has been impacted and the ability to deliver on mandates challenged. In two areas water purification plants have been impacted to such a degree that the safety of the water cannot be guaranteed. Citizens have been advised to boil water before drinking it. Having to boil water adds another element of stress to our day and, for many of our citizens, simply depletes their resources. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another effect of repeated load shedding is the opportunity it affords criminals. Repeated criminal activity has, in some areas, caused electricity outages for longer periods. The Cape Winelands District Municipality noted many citizens reported the loss of large quantities of perishable foods during these blackouts. I implore communities to report such criminal activities immediately. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Furthermore, small and independent businesses are in a situation where they may not be able to afford to run generators continuously to keep perishable foods fresh. I noticed several posts on social media informing customers of closures due to load shedding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is therefore with grave concern that I witness the damage to our economy brought about by a negligent government. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How is any business, large or small, expected to survive when the odds are so stacked against them? All industries, businesses and agricultural stakeholders, even spaza shops, are at some point along the line dependent on the supply of reliable and affordable electricity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our current electrical supply is neither reliable nor affordable. One cannot ethically support a price increase for a service that is failing us. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I applaud our local municipalities and sister departments such as Western Cape Health and Education for their concerted efforts to find remedies that continuously provide our citizens with the services they are constitutionally entitled to. Let us continue to support one another and do our best to keep the Cape Winelands a district of excellence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The Mayor of the Cape WInelands District Municipality, Dr Elna von Schlicht, has slammed the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) for granting an exorbitant tariff hike for 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