Eskom this week announced its intentions to cut power to the Mafube Local Municipality after it failed to pay its outstanding debt.

According to the utility the scheduled interruptions, which began this week, will continue until a satisfactory payment agreement has been reached between Eskom and the Free State based municipality.

“The scheduled interruptions are implemented due to Mafube Local Municipality’s failure to pay R14 714 546.48 to Eskom for the bulk supply of electricity,” the utility noted in a statement.

The utility supplied a timetable for the scheduled cuts and noted that in spite of the timetable Eskom may, upon 15 calendar days’ notice, serve the right to disconnect electricity entirely and indefinitely should the electricity debt situation not improve.

“Eskom advises all parties who are likely to be materially and adversely affected by the contemplated interruption of bulk electricity supply to Mafube Local Municipality to take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of lives and to limit damages to their equipment, operations and business,” the utility concluded.

The affected areas include Frankfort, Cornelia, Tweeling and Villiers.