Lights back on after unpaid municipal bill leaves Northern Cape departments ‘powerless’

THE SOUTHERN Life building in Kimberley was plunged into darkness on December 10, leaving employees of the Northern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works and the Department of Transport, Safety and Liaison “powerless”. Electricity was restored on Wednesday this week after a payment arrangement was reached to settle the outstanding bill.

Concerns were also raised about a lack of maintenance, as well as the risk of accidents and injuries while staff were required to navigate the building in the dark.

Staff were unable to work without access to equipment, computers or lighting, and had to walk up flights of stairs to their offices on the third and fourth floors.

It was, however, pointed out that the elevators did not function even when electricity was available, placing people living with disabilities at a disadvantage.

National Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary Moleme Moleme said this was in contravention of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

“Members of the public also need to access services,” he noted.

The spokesperson for the provincial Department of Roads and Public Works, Zandisile Luphahla, said that, in terms of the lease agreement, the registered owner of the Southern Life building, Ocean Echo Properties, was responsible for the payment of municipal rates and services, including electricity, as well as for the maintenance of the building.

“The department’s responsibility is limited to the monthly payment of the agreed lease amount and monitoring compliance with the lease conditions,” he said.

Luphahla explained that the landlord had agreed that the department would deduct an amount from the monthly lease payment to settle the outstanding account owed to Sol Plaatje Municipality.

“This arrangement was formally communicated to and acknowledged by the municipality and is currently binding. In line with this agreement, the department has processed deductions from the November and December lease payments. The relevant amounts will reflect in the Sol Plaatje Municipality account on December 19. Proof of payment has been shared with the relevant municipal officials.”

He added that the disruption was an isolated incident and had since been resolved.

“During the brief interruption, the department implemented contingency measures to ensure the continuity of critical services. Following engagement between the department and Sol Plaatje Municipality, the electricity supply to the building has been restored. Officials have resumed their normal duties and there is no ongoing risk to occupational health and safety. Officials employed in the building are therefore not in danger.”

Luphahla said the R96 million allocated to the department during the adjustment budget was not intended for the settlement of municipal accounts or rental leases.

“With the electricity supply restored, full operations have resumed and service delivery has not been materially affected. Working-from-home arrangements were applied where necessary, in line with existing departmental policies.”

He added that the department would continue engaging with both the landlord and the municipality to ensure sustained compliance with lease obligations and to prevent a recurrence of similar incidents.