MBCF takes off the kid gloves

The legal council for the Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum (MBCF), Mr. Andreas Peens, recently joined in a meeting with members of the MBCF committee in Ermelo. The case was heard in court on 12 November 2020, regarding the matter of the application to stop the NMD load shedding currently being implemented by Eskom and Msukaligwa Local Municipality (MLM). The conjoined efforts by Mr. Peens, MBCF and affiliates paid off, with the court ordering the provisional suspension of municipal load shedding.

Eskom has been ordered to issue and file applications compelling the indebted municipalities, which include MLM, to settle arrear amounts owed on, or before 30 November 2020. The municipalities have time to lodge applications until 14 December 2020, with Eskom granted time to file replying affidavits no later than 31 December 2020. Hence, MLM is provisionally prohibited from imposing municipal load shedding at will, unless reductions or interruptions are associated with national load shedding or maintenance. Should MLM fail to adhere to the conditions, MBCF is granted leave to re-enroll the matter in the urgent court for argument.

The costs associated with the enrolments are appearances in urgent court during the week of 10 November 2020, as well as the time scheduled for actual appearances are reserved at this time. “People have been accepting the unacceptable for far too long, and unfortunately there are no quick fixes. But what is important is to start.” Mr. Peens has stated. To support the MBCF cause, donations can be made to Msukaligwa Business and Community Forum, Standard Bank, account number 031064701, Ermelo branch, with branch code 052844.

Kindly remember to use your cellphone number as reference. Business owners and residents who would like to become members, can do so by completing the membership form. Membership costs entail R300 per household, annually, and R1200 per business, annually. For more enquiries, please contact 072 401 1449.