Diagnostic Radiologists
Fear lessl y the tr uth 27 May 2016
015 307 7248
www.bulletin.us.com
R4
Darkness threatens
A collapse of the electrical system that could leave Tzaneen — indeed the total territory it extends over — without any electricity supply whatsoever, is imminent. In fact, it is a matter of luck that it has not happened yet. It is foreseen that in such an event a total blackout — that would be a lot worse than the horrifying dark weekend of 2011 — could cause great-scale chaos and fatal financial losses in the area. Yet the Greater Tzaneen Municipality is clearly not treating this looming crisis with the required urgency and the situation has deteriorated to an extent where the area is doomed if something drastic is not done. It will need higher authority to take drastic steps to save the Tzaneen area from a catastrophe. The Bulletin has managed to obtain a copy of an audit report on the GTM’s electrical infrastructure and the desperate situation facing the area, by the National Electricity Regulator of SA (Nersa). It took three months of persistence trying to finally get a copy of the audit report. The report makes for interesting, if not alarming reading of findings on the dilapidated network. It is clear that the absolute minimum has been done since 1994 to maintain and improve the network. * Interesting — though extremely worrisome — facts are: • The current replacement value of the network is R1,4 billion; • It will need close to (or even more than) R600 million to uplift the infrastructure; • The GTM’s electrical department is in dire need of quali-
Rural ares:FREE • Platteland: GRATIS
fied personnel, vehicles (especially 4x4’s) are often not available (due to poor maintenance), equipment is insufficient and the safety of personnel and the public is compromised; • Non-compliance in terms of the GTM’s licence (issued by Nersa) and the Occupational Health and Safety Act cannot be allowed to continue. Despite all this the GTM initially allowed for no budget for the 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 financial years. For the 2018/2019 financial year an amount of R5 million (!) was allowed for a “non-specific” project which is said to be for high mast lighting in a more rural area(s). However, high mast lighting adds no value to the system, it is not maintenance and it will in fact increase the demand on the network. It is understood that the council has since adapted the Integrated Development Plan (IDP) to allow for about R17 million and/or a loan of R20 million for the network for the new financial year. We will publish some more alarming information next week. Our attempts to get an appointment with a senior councillor to discuss the threat facing Tzaneen and surroundings, failed — since the councillor has been out of town and had to attend to a number of outstanding appointments. (Read our Opinion on page 6) • We did not try to speak to the GTM’s acting manager of communications, since he has failed at numerous occations to respond to our enquiries. — Francois Aucamp editor@bulletin.us.com
•X-Rays • CT Scans • Ultrasound • Digital Mammography • Bone Density • Fluoroscopy • Interventional Radiology Mediclinic Tzaneen • 015 306 0098 www.afrirad.co.za
Kyk net wie’t by Warren Buffet gaan kuier. Bladsy 8 Oasis Water has a lot to offer in water and juice... Page 4 Some real exquisite hats were seen on Friday. Page 13 The beauties showed off at Lifestyle. Page 13
Catastrophe in the waiting.
Perdesport groei sterk in ons omgewing. Bladsy 13 Tzaneen woman shows Brits how to cycle. P 20