SELCo is history, promises mayor

THE Keetmanshoop local council has obtained legal assistance to terminate the controversial electricity contract with SELCo.

At a public meeting on Tuesday, Keetmanshoop Mayor Simon Petrus Tiboth said the council had resolved to tear up the contract with SELCo after a meeting with Local Government Minister Joel Kaapanda on September 23. He said Kaapanda had offered to “open doors of communication” between the Keetmanshoop council and SELCo so that the matter could be resolved amicably.However, SELCo did not respond “positively” to the council’s complaints about frequent electricity tariff increases, the Mayor said.”Therefore, the council resolved to seek the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office to terminate the SELCo contract.”The Attorney General’s Office agreed to meet the council this month to discuss the details of the case, said Mayor Tiboth.He also promised that the council would seek an interdict to prevent SELCo from increasing tariffs while the validity of SELCo contract is being challenged.He said Kaapanda had offered to “open doors of communication” between the Keetmanshoop council and SELCo so that the matter could be resolved amicably.However, SELCo did not respond “positively” to the council’s complaints about frequent electricity tariff increases, the Mayor said.”Therefore, the council resolved to seek the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office to terminate the SELCo contract.”The Attorney General’s Office agreed to meet the council this month to discuss the details of the case, said Mayor Tiboth.He also promised that the council would seek an interdict to prevent SELCo from increasing tariffs while the validity of SELCo contract is being challenged.