North West Provincial Government
By Lerato Mpembe
The North West Provincial Government, under the leadership of Premier Lazarus Mokgosi, has initiated a strategic intervention to address the persistent electricity supply challenges in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality. In a recent engagement session held in Lichtenburg, the provincial authorities proposed that the municipality transfer its electricity distribution rights to Eskom, operating under the oversight of the Ministry of Electricity.
Background of the Engagement
The special council meeting, convened on Tuesday, was attended by Premier Mokgosi and the Member of the Executive Council (MEC) for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA), Oageng Molapisi. The primary objective of the visit was to engage directly with municipal councillors to explore viable solutions to the ongoing service delivery challenges, with a particular focus on electricity supply disruptions.
Historical Context of Electricity Challenges
Lichtenburg, the administrative center of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, has been grappling with severe power supply issues. In August 2023, the town experienced prolonged blackouts after Eskom disconnected the electricity supply due to the municipality’s substantial debt, which exceeded R1 billion at the time. This placed Ditsobotla among the country’s largest defaulters. 
Provincial Government’s Proposal
Premier Mokgosi advocated for the council to support the proposal of transferring the electricity supply function to Eskom. He emphasized that such an intervention would ensure an uninterrupted power supply across the municipality, noting that previous efforts by the local government had not yielded the desired outcomes.
“The municipality is facing numerous challenges, and at the center of these challenges are the people we must serve,” Mokgosi stated. “The municipality lacks both the financial capacity and the necessary skills to manage electricity provision. One of the options we presented was for Eskom to assume full responsibility for electricity operations to alleviate this burden.”
Concerns Raised by Councillors
Despite the proposed solution, councillors expressed concerns regarding revenue collection from electricity supply and the potential financial implications for the municipality. They highlighted the importance of understanding how the transfer of electricity rights might affect the municipality’s financial stability and its ability to deliver other essential services.
Agreed Way Forward
To address these concerns comprehensively, the parties agreed to hold a follow-up engagement session involving all relevant stakeholders. This session aims to delve into the specifics of the proposed intervention, ensuring that all potential impacts are thoroughly examined and addressed.
“We are exploring every possible avenue to stabilize this municipality,” Mokgosi emphasized. “It is essential for all of us to work together to achieve this objective.”
Upcoming Engagement Session
The forthcoming engagement session will be led by Premier Mokgosi and will include participation from MEC Molapisi, representatives from the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality, the Ministry of Electricity, and the Department of Water and Sanitation. The agenda will cover discussions on a Section 154 intervention report and address questions concerning blocked and ongoing projects within the municipality.
“This collaborative effort aims to stabilize the municipality and ensure reliable service delivery for the residents of Ditsobotla,” Mokgosi concluded.
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