The mayor of the Dr Beyers Naude Local Municipality (DBNLM) Willem Safers says attempts to get a response from Eskom on the load reduction implemented in the municipality have been unsuccessful.
The municipality is currently in a legal dispute with Eskom over the outstanding debt and wheeling agreements with the parties agreeing to resolve the issue by way of arbitration.
He says the Municipality has instructed its lawyers to contact Eskom for the reasons for the additional power cuts, and whether it relates to old debt.
Safers says, however, that no positive feedback has been received from Eskom.
He says he has given the power utility 48 hours to respond or they will take necessary legal action.
Residents of DBNLM are now facing an unprecedented water crisis due to Eskom's load-reduction strategy.
DA constituency leader, Samantha Graham-Maré, says the Municipality owes Eskom R361 million.
She says Eskom is using its monopoly on electricity supply to force the Municipality's hand.
"This is not only disastrous in terms of fighting the heat, keeping food safely stored and having lights, but the real disaster is also, the impact on the ability of the municipality to deliver water to residents"
She said the extra six hours of loadshedding would make this unmanageable.
Affected towns include Aberdeen, Graaff Reinet and Nieu- Bethesda, Willowmore, Jansenville, Klipplaat and Steytlerville.
The mayor posted on the DBNLM Facebook page to apologise to residents for the inconvenience.
