SELCo controversy rears its head again

THE controversy surrounding the electricity deal that the Keetmanshoop municipality signed with the Southern Electrical Company (SELCo) is far from over.

Disgruntled residents of Keetmanshoop marched to the municipality yesterday to hand over a petition to Mayor Simon Petrus Tiboth after the newly elected council failed to fulfil promises to fight SELCo tooth and nail. These promises were made at a previous meeting where community members mandated the newly elected council to tear up the SELCo agreement.The previous council signed a 15-year contract with SELCo to operate and maintain the town’s power supply after a N$5 million bail-out to upgrade the electricity grid.Residents have staged several demonstrations, demanding that the council cancel the agreement.They claim that electricity tariffs have skyrocketed since SELCo was awarded the contract.Yesterday’s petition demands an urgent interdict preventing SELCo from raising electricity tariffs while the validity of the contract is ascertained.The residents accused the council of failing to keep the community informed about progress in the SELCo matter.The council has been given 10 days to respond to the petition.Mayor Tiboth promised the angry residents that feedback would be given tonight at a community meeting called by the local council.These promises were made at a previous meeting where community members mandated the newly elected council to tear up the SELCo agreement.The previous council signed a 15-year contract with SELCo to operate and maintain the town’s power supply after a N$5 million bail-out to upgrade the electricity grid.Residents have staged several demonstrations, demanding that the council cancel the agreement.They claim that electricity tariffs have skyrocketed since SELCo was awarded the contract.Yesterday’s petition demands an urgent interdict preventing SELCo from raising electricity tariffs while the validity of the contract is ascertained.The residents accused the council of failing to keep the community informed about progress in the SELCo matter.The council has been given 10 days to respond to the petition.Mayor Tiboth promised the angry residents that feedback would be given tonight at a community meeting called by the local council.