COPS LEFT IN THE DARK DUE TO E7M SEC DEBT

MANZINI – The Swaziland Electricity Company (SEC) has disconnected power supply to over ten police residential compounds as it is being owed around E7 million by the service.

The police camps include Zakhele, Mafutseni, Shiselweni, Hlatikhulu and Mbabane among others. Police residential areas which were not affected by the disconnection include, Matsapha, Mliba, Mankayane, Pigg’s Peak and Bhunya, to mention a few.
Police officers, who preferred to comment on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the power supply was cut off yesterday morning and they were forced to purchase fast foods and drinks for their families in town.

“We cannot cook or iron without electricity and we hope that the electricity will be restored as soon as possible as it is essential since we are being inconvenienced in the process. Currently, the whole police camp is dark and everything is on a standstill,” one police officer said.
Upon arrival at Zakhele police camp yesterday at about 6pm, all the houses, including the newly-built ones, were without electricity and officers opted for candles for lighting.

SEC Corporate Communications Manager Sifiso Dhlamini said the company had published a notice recently pertaining the disconnection exercise to be conducted countrywide.

Dhlamini elaborated that owing customers were notified and advised to settle their outstanding balances before a certain date as disconnections would be effected. “I am, however, not in a position to inform you of the names of the customers as it is unethical.

“however, the disconnections were countrywide and did not just target the Royal Swaziland Police. The company is owed millions by customers and it is currently running at a loss. we spend E60 million monthly at ESKOM and if most customers do not comply with payments it makes things difficult,” Dhlamini said.

In March, this year, power supply was disconnected after it was revealed that the RSP owed the company E8 million, however, it was later restored.
Police Deputy Information and Communications Officer Assistant Superintendent Khulani Mamba confirmed that power supply had been disconnected in most police stations due to unpaid bills. “We had a meeting today with SEC officials over the disconnection of the power supply.

we hope things would be normalised by tomorrow (today). Electricity is essential and we cannot afford to shut down security,” Assistant Superintendent Mamba said.

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