FS municipalities drowning in Eskom debt
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Eskom has served notice of its intention to suspend electricity supply on 30 March to eight Free State municipalities due to the continued non-payment of their bulk electricity accounts.
The power utility wants just over R842-million from these municipalities to prevent a shutdown of electricity supply. The Ngwathe Local Municipality, which includes the town of Parys, owes the most at over R472 million.
The other seven municipalities are Nketoana, Masilonyana, Tokologo, Dihlabeng, Mantsopa, Nala and Phumelele.
Last year, Eskom first issued notice to cut power supply to these municipalities, saying they owed almost R2-billion.
Eskom’s spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says the Free State government must intervene.
Meanwhile, the Mantsopa municipality, comprising Ladybrand and Tweespruit, confirmed that it received a notice from Eskom on Tuesday. Municipal spokesperson Eric Mkhunjulwa said the parties are in talks.
Eskom also announced last week that it would disconnect electricity supply to five municipalities in the Northern Cape for defaulting on payment plans.
A list of the municipalities and their outstanding debts to Eskom is below:
1. Nketoana Local Municipality – R73,6 million
2. Masilonyana Local Municipality – R20,2 million
3. Tokologo Local Municipality – R7,7 million
4. Mantsopa Local Municipality – R58,3 million
5. Ngwathe Local Municipality – R472,377 million
6. Dihlabeng Local Municipality – R57,8 million
7. Nala Local Municipality – R114 million
8. Phumelela Local Municipality – R38,7 million
The power utility wants just over R842-million from these municipalities to prevent a shutdown of electricity supply. The Ngwathe Local Municipality, which includes the town of Parys, owes the most at over R472 million.
The other seven municipalities are Nketoana, Masilonyana, Tokologo, Dihlabeng, Mantsopa, Nala and Phumelele.
Last year, Eskom first issued notice to cut power supply to these municipalities, saying they owed almost R2-billion.
Eskom’s spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says the Free State government must intervene.
Meanwhile, the Mantsopa municipality, comprising Ladybrand and Tweespruit, confirmed that it received a notice from Eskom on Tuesday. Municipal spokesperson Eric Mkhunjulwa said the parties are in talks.
Eskom also announced last week that it would disconnect electricity supply to five municipalities in the Northern Cape for defaulting on payment plans.
A list of the municipalities and their outstanding debts to Eskom is below:
1. Nketoana Local Municipality – R73,6 million
2. Masilonyana Local Municipality – R20,2 million
3. Tokologo Local Municipality – R7,7 million
4. Mantsopa Local Municipality – R58,3 million
5. Ngwathe Local Municipality – R472,377 million
6. Dihlabeng Local Municipality – R57,8 million
7. Nala Local Municipality – R114 million
8. Phumelela Local Municipality – R38,7 million
