19 Mar 2013

The Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Dikgakgamatso Seretse has told Parliament that the National Electricity Standard Cost (NESC) of P5 000 only applies to customers who are within 500 metres from a distribution transformer.

Answering a question on behalf of the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Seretse said anyone outside the 500 metre radius of a distribution transformer pays the full connection cost.

Mr Seretse noted that this allowed quotations for residential premises to vary in amounts even though they are within the same neighbourhood.

He said more than P9.6 million and more than P3 million has to date been used to subsidise 660 and 209 customer connections in the Kgalagadi and Ghanzi District respectively.

He also said more than P4.6 Million, P3.8 million and P3 million was paid as a subsidy for 325, 420 and 318 customer connections in Hukuntsi, Letlhakeng and Mabutsane Sub-Districts to date.

MP for Kgalagadi North Mr Phillip Khwae had asked the minister why there we huge differences in electricity connection charges as quoted in Kgalagadi even in cases where the national grid was available and when the areas quoted for were in the same neighbourhood.

Mr Khwae had also wanted to know how much has been used to subsidise customers is Kgalagadi, Ghanzi and Hukuntsi, Letlhakeng and Mabutsane Sub-Districts. ENDS