Thousands of learners across the City of Ekurhuleni are being left in the dark after the municipality launched a credit control campaign, cutting electricity to public schools that have failed to settle outstanding municipal accounts.

At least 189 schools have been earmarked for disconnection, with further final notices issued to schools across Boksburg, Benoni, Alberton, Brakpan, Edenvale, Kempton Park, Nigel and Springs.

Germiston has emerged as the worst-affected area, with schools collectively owing the metro more than R28m.
Across all affected areas, the total outstanding debt exceeds R110.3m. The department was already in arrears by more than R24m in 2024.

Alberton schools among those affected

Schools in Alberton impacted by the electricity cuts include Stoneridge Primary School, Eden Park Secondary School, Opelweg Primary School, Landulwazi Primary School, Umkhathizwe Primary School, Umzamo Primary School, Tswaragano Primary School, Mohaung Primary School, Inqubela Primary School, Simunye Primary School, Mohlodi Primary School, Greenfields Primary School and Eden Park Primary School.

City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the number of affected schools changes daily as payments are made.

“The number of schools scheduled for disconnection fluctuates on a daily basis, as payments are received. What must be made clear, though, is that credit control applies to all customers. If you do not pay your account, unfortunately, credit control kicks in,” he said.

Ward 57 councillor Dino Petersen said the issue falls between provincial and local government.

“I am aware of the situation, but there’s nothing I can do. This is a provincial and local government issue. Schools are responsible for paying their own electricity bills, as the provincial government has made it their responsibility. I have taken up the matter with the MMC for finance and asked if it’s possible for the schools to make payment arrangements,” he said.

Parents frustrated as learning is disrupted

A parent from Eden Park, who asked to remain anonymous, said the situation at Eden Park Secondary School has severely affected learners.

“We as parents were never informed of this issue. We only hear from our children what is going on. The school has been without electricity for about four to five weeks.

“The school uses smartboards to teach learners and now, with no electricity, our children are suffering. The school has a shortage of textbooks, and the smartboards have been helpful. The school did not issue first-term reports because they couldn’t print them.

“I don’t know if my kids passed or not. They also cut out extra classes for Grade 12s and that is really not right. Kids are behind, and it’s sad,” the parent said.

Schools question billing and mounting debt

A teacher at Umkhathizwe Primary School confirmed that the school paid R1 060 000 in 2025 and continues to pay R50 000 monthly towards electricity.

He raised concerns about how the city calculates bills.

“We are charged based on estimations, not actual readings. Interest is always doubling up and now we find ourselves owing a lot of money,” he said.

Tswaragano Primary School deputy principal Zandile Mngwevu said the school paid R220 00 but still accumulated a debt of R64 000 within two months.

“We have been without electricity for three weeks and had to go to nearby schools to print out reports. The money we received from the department last year was all used to pay our debt. We will only receive money again in May,” she said.

Mngwevu added that attempts to engage the city have not been successful.

“The city says they are reading meters online, which is quite confusing. How can they read all the schools online and how accurate are those readings? As teachers, we are left with no option but to call parents, explain the situation and close down the school,” she said.

Eden Park Secondary School referred queries to Steve Mabona, while Greenfields Primary School declined to comment and directed enquiries to the district office. Other schools did not respond.

Gauteng Department of Education responds

In a media statement, the Gauteng Department of Education said it had allocated funds to schools in November 2025 specifically to settle municipal accounts, including electricity.

The department rejected claims that it had shifted the burden to schools, stating that School Governing Bodies were informed about the decentralisation of payments and are responsible for ensuring funds are used correctly.

“It is therefore quite concerning that some schools are not paying their municipal accounts despite having received the necessary allocations,” the department said.

The department added that it is facilitating the release of the 2026/27 financial allocations, expected on or before May 15, to help schools meet operational costs.

Gauteng MEC for Education Matome Chiloane said the department is engaging municipalities to resolve the issue.

“We are engaging with all municipalities as this challenge is experienced across the province. These engagements will help schools ensure they consistently pay their accounts and that payments remain accurate at all times.
“Going forward, schools must also ensure that they use the allocations they receive strictly for their intended purposes,” he said.

The department said it will continue engaging municipalities to prevent further service disruptions, warning that electricity cuts could negatively affect teaching and learning.