Court says lights in Newcastle will stay on, at least until Thursday
The Pietermaritzburg High Court will later this week decide whether or not to grant an interdict to stop planned power cuts by Eskom.
READ: Eskom says Newcastle may plunge into darkness over pending dues
The power utility issued Newcastle with a notice last month, stating that it will begin electricity supply interruptions for six-hours from on Monday.
The municipality owes Eskom over R200 million, dating back to 2017. Talks to find a solution have been ongoing.
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The town's Dumisane Thabethe says they hope the interdict will be granted.
"Unfortunately, as we speak right now, we can't say if the interdict was granted, but there was a judgment... that no electricity will be cut. As we speak, we are in the offices in Newcastle and there is electricity. The matter will be heard on the 3rd of October," he said.
Thabethe says the municipality has submitted a proposed payment plan to Eskom.
"It is the up to Eskom to accept that payment, which, as it seems now, they haven't accepted it as yet. But we are continuing to pay whatever is still outstanding from our side," he said