About 2 years ago Ngwathe Municipality implemented a partial block on all electricity consumers whose Municipality services account were in arrears.If you buy R100 electricity you get R60 electricity and R40 goes to Municipality account.The exercise was undertaken in line with the powers derived from Municipal Systems Act.We don't contest Municipality developing policy but the manner in which it was developed and implemented.It is in conflict with the law.

Our issue is that the PAJA Act provides procedures to follow whenever a decision(administrative action)that affects the rights of individuals adversely is about to be made.Ngwathe Municipality did not consult with the communities as per rules of Promotion of Administrative Justice Act 3 of 2000 before implementing the policy.Residents were never given a chance to make submissions or representations.

We engaged with the Municipality through meetings and marches requesting evidence to the effect that proper consultation was made and procedures followed in implementing the decision.The Executive Mayor promised to provide us with evidence which to date,she has not given to us.We also would like to bring to your attention that failure to execute executive function by a municipality invokes section 139 of the Constitution.