Bethanie village plunged into darkness

RESIDENTS of Bethanie are still without electricity after NamPower suspended the power supply to the southern village on Monday.

The Village Council was still unable yesterday to meet NamPower’s minimum requirement for reconnecting the power supply. NamPower has reportedly agreed to restore power to the village if the council pays at least half of what it owes the bulk electricity supplier.In an earlier interview, Village Secretary Willie Humphries said Bethanie owed NamPower N$294 000.A local businessman yesterday told The Namibian that the power cut had also led to water rationing at the village.”We could only collect water between five and seven in the morning, as the water pump is electrically powered,” the businessman said.NamPower has reportedly agreed to restore power to the village if the council pays at least half of what it owes the bulk electricity supplier.In an earlier interview, Village Secretary Willie Humphries said Bethanie owed NamPower N$294 000.A local businessman yesterday told The Namibian that the power cut had also led to water rationing at the village.”We could only collect water between five and seven in the morning, as the water pump is electrically powered,” the businessman said.