Author: Chantel Edwards

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height                      89,74

Rainfall for previous 7 days:                                                 19.5mm  (Measured up to and including 20 March 2023)

The co-operation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and Isixhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.

George Municipality would like to reassure all residents that our Disaster Services, Traffic and Law Enforcement departments are on high alert and working closely with Western Cape Disaster Management, Provincial SAPS, POPS, Neighbourhood Watches and other relevant stakeholders involved in safety and security. Contingency plans have been put in place to ensure that service delivery continues as per usual for Monday 20 March 2023.

We request residents remain calm and access our social media sites for regular updates on any issues that might impact their day-to-day business. All municipal offices remain open for services Monday 20 March 2023.

Report any intimidation
Local businesses, organisations or institutions that receive threats of violence or looting to take place on Monday, 20 March 2023, are requested to lay a complaint of intimidation with their nearest police station and inform the Municipality thereof. Any form of violence, looting, damage to property or intimidation is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.

Such threats should be registered with the South African Police Service (SAPS) immediately or reported to 0860 142 142 or service@westerncape.gov.za

The municipality does not condone threats of violence, looting and intimidation. We do support the right to gather and protest peacefully.

Use of drones not permitted
George Municipality’s Disaster Management would like to remind the public that the flying of drones in the George Municipal area is strictly prohibited and permission from George Municipality is required. Those who fly drones illegally will be dealt with decisively by law enforcement agencies. The George Airport has a 10km radius of “NO FLY ZONE” under Civil aviation law and recreational drone flying is not permitted.

Please note that even though Professional Drone operators have a “Pilots” license, they must have permission from Civil Aviation Authority to fly within the 10 Km range. as well as permission from the local authority and landowner even outside the no-fly zone. We call on the public not to use drones, especially during the possible planned shutdown on Monday, 20 March 2023 as this will pose a risk to the Airport and the Denneoord Fire Base Landing Strip, and will be a deterrent to the work of the SAPS and the emergency services trying to conduct their duties during this time.

Emergency Numbers
SWITCHBOARD: 044 801 9111 (7.45 am-4.30 pm)
AFTER-HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

Stage 3 Loadshedding times for George:

Thursday 16/03/2023
None

Friday 17/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30

Uniondale will be affected
Stage 3 Loadshedding times for Uniondale:

Thursday 16/03/2023
None

Friday 17/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

George Municipality notes reports of a planned “national shutdown” on Monday 20 March 2023. The municipality does not condone threats of violence, looting and intimidation. We do support the right to gather and protest peacefully.

The George Traffic, Law Enforcement and Fire Services departments are on alert in collaboration with SAPS, POPS, Neighbourhood Watches and other relevant stakeholders involved in safety and security.

The municipality remains open on Monday 20 March 2023, and municipal service delivery will continue.

SWITCHBOARD: 044 801 9111 (7.45am-4.30pm)
AFTER HOURS AND EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6300
FIRE EMERGENCIES: 044 801 6311

PLEASE NOTE!
Shoprite Checkers no longer accepts payments for municipal accounts for George Municipality with immediate effect.

NEW PAYMENT BANNER ON MUNICIPAL WEBSITE MAKES PAYMENT SIMPLE AND EASY
George Municipality has installed a brand new Pay Your Account banner on the municipal website – pay your account with one click! www.george.gov.za

OTHER PAYMENT OPTIONSAccounts can be paid via electronic transfer (EFT – see details below), via Unipay, by clicking on the QR code on your statement, Pick ‘n Pay, Woolworths, BOXER, GAME, SPAR and Pep.
Please take your most recent available account statement with you so that the shop can access the bar code that connects your payment to your GRG account number.

If you do not have a printed account, ensure that you have the 20 digit number written down to provide the teller with.Ratepayers in Uniondale can get hard copies of their accounts and pay at the Uniondale Post Office, Pep Stores and Uniondale Municipal Office, 39 Voortrekker Steet. To register you can email accounts@george.gov.za or phone 044 752 1024 for more information. In Haarlem ratepayers can get hard copies and pay their accounts at the Haarlem Municipal Office, 99 Berg Street, to register you can email accounts@george.gov.za  or phone 044 763 1013.

Bank details for electronic payment:
First National Bank (FNB)
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Number: 62869623150
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: your GRG account number
Proof of payment is to be sent to payments@george.gov.za

UPDATE YOUR DETAILS USING OUR SIMPLE FORM ON OUR WEBSITE
A reminder that accounts are no longer issued by post, they are only emailed to residents. Update your details quickly and simply with our new form, simply click on the Banner Update Your Details on the municipal website www.george.gov.za

Other options to access your Account

• A hard copy of your monthly account can be printed at the cash hall of the Municipality’s main building situated at 71 York Street or our Area Offices in BLANCO, CONVILLE, PACALTSDORP, NEW DAWN PARK, ROSEMOOR, PROTEA PARK, TOUWSRANTEN as well as the Thembalethu and Waboomskraal Thusong Centres on request.

• Ratepayers can VIEW and PAY  their accounts by clicking on the Unipay link www.unipay.co.za or by scanning the QR code on their account.
• Ratepayers can still VIEW their Account Totals on the George Municipal App at https://george.comunity.me/p/george/  – currently you are not able to Pay or Print via the APP.
• Phone in on 044 801 9009/4/17 or 044 801 9135 or 044 801 9518. Please provide your GRG account number and contact details (email address, telephone number) with all enquiries.

OVERDUE DEBT WILL BE RECOVERED THROUGH PREPAID METER SYSTEM
Residents are advised to take note that any overdue debts owing to the municipality, will be recovered through the prepaid electricity meter system, as per the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. This means that if you have not paid your account in fulL, when you purchase prepaid electrical units from a vendor, at least 50% of your overdue debt  will be paid off by your purchase, and the remaining amount will reflect as pre-paid electricity units.

HOW TO CHECK WHAT YOUR OVERDUE DEBT IS?
If you are not sure what your overdue debt is, please phone in to  044 801 9009/4/17 or 044 801 9135 or 044 801 9518. Provide your GRG account number and contact details (email address, telephone number) with all enquiries. A duplicate statement can also be requested at accounts@george.gov.za. Payment is due by the 15th of the following month.

DUE DATE FOR PAYMENT
Payment is due by the 15th of the following month. If you haven’t received a statement by the 15th, it is suggested you pay an average amount, request an account via email or check your account totals on the George Municipality Mobile Application (App). A duplicate statement can also be requested at accounts@george.gov.za. Please provide your GRG account number on request.

Load Shedding stage 4 will continue until 05:00 15/03/2023.
Load Shedding stage 3 to be implemented from 05:00 15/03/2023 to 16:00 15/03/2023.
Load Shedding stage 4 to be implemented from 16:00 15/03/2023 to 05:00 16/03/2023.
Load Shedding will alternate like this until further notice.

George will be affected as follows:
Tuesday 14/03/2023
16:00 – 18:30

Wednesday 15/03/2023
00:00 – 02:30
16:00 – 18:30

Thursday 16/03/2023
00:00 – 02:30
08:00 – 10:30
16:00 – 18:30

Friday 17/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Tuesday 14/03/2023
19:00 – 21:30

Wednesday 15/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
19:00 – 21:30

Thursday 16/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Friday 17/03/2023
1:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

SWITCHING ON AFTER LOADSHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!

Residents of George must please note that with the extended load-shedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when load-shedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour load-shedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Load-shedding
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after load-shedding (especially a 4-hour slot). The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the load-shedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load-shedding
Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone the After-hours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after Loadshedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip that needs to be sorted out.

Lawaaikamp water network upgrades today resulted in a pipe failure on one of the main water supply pipelines. Water interuptions may be expected in the Lawaaikamp area.

Standby teams will work throughout the night to restore the water supply to the affected areas.

Two water trucks will roam Lawaaikamp until 10pm tonight and again from 5am tomorrow morning.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Haarlem: Routine Maintenance on storage reservoirs may result in some colouring of the water discharged into the water distribution and reticulation network. The maintenance and colour may last for two to three days. We apologise for the inconvenience.

Please note the Water is safe for domestic use.

Issued George Municipality

Due to some recovery in the generation capacity over the past 24 hours, Stage 4 loadshedding will continue until further notice. Eskom will provide an update as soon as any significant changes occur.

*George will be affected as follows:*
Monday 13/03/2023
16:00 – 18:30

Tuesday 14/03/2023
00:00 – 02:30
08:00 – 10:30
16:00 – 18:30

Wednesday 15/03/2023
00:00 – 02:30
08:00 – 10:30
16:00 – 18:30

Thursday 16/03/2023
00:00 – 02:30
08:00 – 10:30
16:00 – 18:30

Friday 17/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 16:30
22:00 – 00:30

*Uniondale will be affected as follows:*
Monday 13/03/2023
19:00 – 21:30

Tuesday 14/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Wednesday 15/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Thursday 16/03/2023
03:00 – 05:30
11:00 – 13:30
19:00 – 21:30

Friday 17/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

*SWITCHING ON AFTER LOADSHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!*
Residents of George must please note that with the extended load-shedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when load-shedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour load-shedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

*Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Load-shedding*
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after load-shedding (especially a 4-hour slot).

The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the load-shedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

*Please do not switch high-usage equipment on immediately after Load-shedding*
Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high-usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

*Reporting power outages*
Please do not phone the After-hours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report that you have no power immediately after Loadshedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip that needs to be sorted out.

The George Municipality embarked on process to phase in a new electricity tariff structure. This process started on 1 July last year, and is in line with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved cost of supply study for George as well as the municipal Electricity Pricing Policy. The municipality has been effecting these changes in a variety of ways so as to limit the impact on our consumers as far as possible.

PHASE ONE ROLLOUT – has included to date:

• Consumers were provided with an opportunity to select their Amperage capacity, in line with their household power requirement.
• Consumers who had not yet made a selection for their capacity (AMPS) by 1 July 2022, were then placed on a capacity selected by the municipality. The capacity selection is based on the consumers historic consumption (12 months prior). The option remains open for these consumers to make a change and select their own capacity.
• George Municipality has sent out field teams to visit residents at home and implement the changes, where for example a resident has applied and chosen a capacity for their house; and/or where no selection was made and the municipality then applied a capacity based on historic consumption.
• Consumers were also given the opportunity to make a capacity selection while a field team was at their home – so doing to minimise the impact of a Consumer making a choice which then does not work for them and having to get the field team in back to make a change again.
• Communication through various platforms continued to request consumers to make their selection timeously.

Thousands of Consumers have had the Capacity (AMPS) addressed through either their own selection OR by the municipal capacity selection. George Municipality has already successfully implemented power limit adjustments on thousands of it’s prepaid meter base, through the work done by field staff following the applications received from consumers for a specific capacity or by the municipality making the decision for Phase 1 power limit based on historic consumption. The field teams will continue to go out weekly to do Amperage limit roll-out and site inspections on prepaid meters.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: Consumers who have already made their selection will NOT be affected by Phase 2 of the Power Limit Adjustment Project.

What about Consumers who have not yet made a selection?
The consumers who have not made a selection yet or who are not happy with the selection made by the municipality based on historical consumption, are encouraged to do so speedily on the details shared below. The first and most preferred option is always for our consumer to select the capacity their require. Consumers are allowed one opportunity per financial year to make such a change in capacity.

PHASE TWO ROLLOUT – POWER LIMIT ADJUSTMENT PROJECT will take place as follows:
From the 1st April 2023, the municipality will Apply the following Capacity Selection based on the historic consumption:

•  If consumer had a 12 month average historic monthly consumption of above 400 units (kWh) and below 600 units (kWh), the consumer will be placed on a 30A;
•  If consumer had a 12 month average historic monthly consumption of above 600 units (kWh) the consumer will be placed on a 40A;
• Indigents consumer will not be impacted by this phase, as all indigent consumers are dealt with in line with the Indigent Policy.
• All consumer who have already made their selections will not be impacted.
  
  Key Reminders on the applicable Electrical Tariffs are:
• Small Domestic and Commercial tariffs (that is Prepaid and conventionally metered Consumers) are linked to the capacity limit of supply they choose.
• Consumers who are willing to manage their loads within a capacity limited to 20 Amps Single Phase are offered a subsidised tariff with no fixed charges.
• All Consumers who require more than 20 Amp capacity are charged a phased-in Cost Reflective Tariff with:
  – a Fixed Basic Charge,
  – a Capacity Charge depending on the capacity limit of the supply and
  – a lower Energy Charge.
• Bulk consumers have all been moved to a Time of Use tariff.
• Small Scale Energy Generators (SSEG) consumers are subject to fixed and Time of Use energy charges. Further information on understanding the potential electricity cost and management of loads, and how to make a decision about the capacity you can choose will be provided.Bear this in mind when making your choice:
• Capacity selection by the municipality based on the consumers historic consumption was for a financial break-even to reduce the impact on the customer and not necessarily to confirm the capacity required.
• The Municipality cannot determine the optimal capacity required with the available meter data, therefore consumers must determine what their energy and capacity requirements are.
• The municipality has noted that customers are selecting the capacity as low as possible to reduce cost without understanding the implications. This is evident by the number of upgrades required once a selection is implemented. Please consider your selection carefully.Do you want to discuss your energy consumption and find out what the best Capacity will be for your needs, phone 044 801 9243, have your Municipal Account Number and Prepaid Meter Number handy OR email your query to elec.applications@george.gov.za

Link to Application Form to Select Capacity
Link to Bulk Demand Application Form
Link to Excel Calculator – establish how many units you will receive for cash value and do the comparisons with selection of either 30/40/50 or 60 Amps
https://www.george.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Elec-Tariff-Easy-Customer-test.xlsx

Note: The excel spreadsheet must be downloaded from the link and enabled for editing. It will not work on cellphones that do not have Excel Viewer (XLXS Reader)

Percentage storage at new raised dam wall height 76,31
Rainfall for last 7 days: 23mm (Measured up to and including 27 February 2023)

The co-operation of all users of municipal water is essential and is greatly appreciated.

Follow this link for the detailed Stricter Water Restrictions in English/Afrikaans and Isixhosa.
https://www.george.gov.za/george-doc-categories/public-notices/general/

Contraventions of the Water Restrictions can be reported on 0800 424477.
Report water leaks and burst pipes to 044 801 9262/66 or after hours at 044 801 6300, as soon as you notice them.

Sunday, 26 February 2023: Stage 4 loadshedding will continue to be implemented until 16:00 on Monday afternoon, whereafter Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented at 16:00 – 05:00 on Tuesday morning. Loadshedding will then be reduced to Stage 3 at 05:00 – 16:00 on both Tuesday and Wednesday, while Stage 4 will be implemented during 16:00 – 05:00 on both Tuesday and Wednesday.

George will be affected as follows:
Monday 27/02/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Tuesday 28/02/2023
02:00 – 05:00 **
18:00 – 20:30

Wednesday 01/03/2023
06:00 – 08:30
14:00 – 15:30
22:00 – 00:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:

Sunday 26/02/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Monday 27/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 23:30

Tuesday 28/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
21:00 – 23:30

Wednesday 01/03/2023
01:00 – 03:30
09:00 – 11:30
17:00 – 19:30

SWITCHING ON AFTER LOADSHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!
Residents of George must please note that with the extended loadshedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when loadshedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour loadshedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Loadshedding.
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after loadshedding (especially a 4-hour slot).

The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the loadshedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

Please do not switch high usage equipment on immediately after Loadshedding.
Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone in to the Afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report you have no power immediately after Loadshedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on, and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

Stage 4 loadshedding will be implemented from 09:00 on Sunday morning – until further notice.

*George will be affected as follows:*
Sunday 26/02/2023
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Monday 27/02/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Tuesday 28/02/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

*Uniondale will be affected as follows:*
Sunday 26/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 23:30

Monday 27/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 23:30

Tuesday 28/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 23:30

SWITCHING ON AFTER LOADSHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!
Residents of George must please note that with the extended loadshedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when loadshedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour loadshedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Loadshedding.
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after loadshedding (especially a 4-hour slot).

The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the loadshedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

Please do not switch high usage equipment on immediately after Loadshedding.
Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone in to the Afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report you have no power immediately after Loadshedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on, and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

Stage 5 loadshedding will be implemented from 05:00 on Sunday morning- until further notice.

George will be affected as follows:
Sunday 26/02/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 22:30 **

Monday 27/02/2023
02:00 – 04:30
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Tuesday 28/02/2023
02:00 – 06:30 **
10:00 – 12:30
18:00 – 20:30

Uniondale will be affected as follows:
Saturday 25/02/2023
21:00 – 23:30

Sunday 26/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 01:30 **

Monday 27/02/2023
05:00 – 07:30
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 23:30

Tuesday 28/02/2023
05:00 – 09:30 **
13:00 – 15:30
21:00 – 23:30

SWITCHING ON AFTER LOADSHEDDING – Not all areas will be switched back on at the same time!
Residents of George must please note that with the extended loadshedding, our Electrotechnical Directorate is no longer able to switch the entire city back on at the same time. Our daily notifiable demand from ESKOM has historically been set at 85MVA and on average George would use between 60 and 80MVA, although the municipality must pay ESKOM for 85MVA.

If the power is returned simultaneously to all areas when loadshedding ends, this creates a massive spike or surge in power with all geysers, freezers/fridges/batteries etc drawing power at the same time. With the extended four-hour loadshedding, the spikes for George are consistently reaching 105 – 112 MVA.

Areas will be switched on in sections, on rotation after Loadshedding.
Eskom has indicated that unless George can reduce the spikes, they will increase our notifiable demand to the highest actual usage level which will in turn increase the purchase cost to the municipality. Consumers are requested to use electricity very sparingly when power returns after loadshedding (especially a 4-hour slot).

The municipality will now in rotation, switch the power on in sections. This means if for example the loadshedding slot is scheduled from 20h00 – 22h30, there is a chance that your area may only come on at 22h45 or 23h00.

Please do not switch high usage equipment on immediately after Loadshedding.
Consumers are therefore urged to turn off high usage equipment and where possible to not switch on appliances such as stoves and kettles for at least 30 minutes after load shedding. This will reduce the risk of overload tripping on the network and reduce our current high MVA spikes.

Reporting power outages
Please do not phone in to the Afterhours number or the Electrotechnical Department to report you have no power immediately after Loadshedding is scheduled to be lifted. Please be aware of the rotational switching on, and wait at least 30 minutes before reporting no power. The directorate will be aware if there has been a possible substation trip which needs to be sorted out.

OVERDUE DEBT WILL BE RECOVERED THROUGH PREPAID METER SYSTEM
Residents are advised to take note that any overdue debts owing to the municipality, will be recovered through the prepaid electricity meter system, as per the Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. This means that if you have not paid your account in full of the municipality, when you purchase prepaid electrical units from a vendor, at least 50% of your overdue debt will be paid off by your purchase, and the remaining amount will reflect as pre-paid electricity units.

HOW TO CHECK WHAT YOUR OVERDUE DEBT IS?
If you are not sure what your overdue debt is, please phone in to 044 801 9009/4/17 or 044 801 9135 or 044 801 9518. Provide your GRG account number and contact details (email address, telephone number) with all enquiries. A duplicate statement can also be requested at accounts@george.gov.za. Payment is due by the 15th of the following month.

HOW TO PAY YOUR ACCOUNT
Accounts can be paid via electronic transfer (EFT – see details below), Unipay, by clicking on the QR code on your statement, Pick ‘n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, USave, SPAR and Pep. Please take your most recent available account statement with you so that the shop can access the bar code that connects your payment to your GRG account number.

Bank details for electronic payment:
First National Bank (FNB)
Account Type: Public Sector Cheque Account
Account Name: George Municipality
Account Number: 62869623150
Branch Code: 210554
Swift Code: FIRNZAJJ
Reference: your GRG account number
Proof of payment is to be sent to payments@george.gov.za

OPENBARE KENNISGEWING: Agterstallige munisipale skuld sal via Voorafbetaalde meterstelsel verhaal word

AGTERSTALLIGE SKULD SAL DEUR VOORAFBETAALDE METERSTELSEL VERHAAL WORD
Inwoners word aangeraai om kennis te neem dat enige agterstallige skuld wat aan die munisipaliteit verskuldig is, deur die voorafbetaalde elektrisiteitsmeterstelsel verhaal sal word, ooreenkomstig met die Kredietbeheer- en Skuldinvorderingsbeleid. Dit beteken dat indien u nie u rekening ten volle aan die munisipaliteit betaal het nie, wanneer u voorafbetaalde elektriese eenhede aankoop, ten minste 50% van u agterstallige skuld deur u aankoop afbetaal sal word, en die oorblywende bedrag sal weerspieël as vooraf -betaalde elektrisiteitseenhede.

HOE VIND JY UIT WAT JOU AGTERSTALLIGE SKULD IS?
Indien jy nie seker is wat jou agterstallige skuld is nie, skakel asseblief 044 801 9009/4/17 of 044 801 9135 of 044 801 9518. Verskaf jou GRG-rekeningnommer en kontakbesonderhede (e-posadres, telefoonnommer) met alle navrae. ’n Duplikaatstaat kan ook aangevra word by accounts@george.gov.za. Betaling is teen die 15de van die volgende maand betalbaar.

HOE OM JOU REKENING TE BETAAL
Rekeninge kan betaal word deur elektroniese oorplasing (EFT – sien besonderhede hieronder), Unipay, deur op die QR-kode op jou staat te klik, Pick ’n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, USave, SPAR en Pep. Neem asseblief jou mees onlangse beskikbare rekeningstaat saam met jou sodat die winkel toegang kan kry tot die strepieskode wat jou betaling aan jou GRG-rekeningnommer koppel.

Bankbesonderhede vir elektroniese betaling:
Eerste Nasionale Bank (ENB)
Rekeningtipe: Openbare Sektor Tjekrekening
Rekeningnaam: George Munisipaliteit
Rekeningnommer: 62869623150
Takkode: 210554
Swift-kode: FIRNZAJJ
Verwysing: jou GRG rekeningnommer
Bewys van betaling moet gestuur word aan payments@george.gov.za