Residents and businesses in Ekurhuleni facing the prospect of electricity supply interruptions may have some relief after the metro reportedly reached an agreement with Eskom on payment arrangements to address its growing debt of more than R3.5b.

This follows concerns raised last week after the power utility issued a public notice indicating its intention to reduce bulk electricity supply to parts of the metro due to an outstanding multi-billion rand electricity debt.

While the municipality has not yet provided a formal written response, metro spokesperson Zweli Dlamini indicated that an agreement has been reached with Eskom to address the arrears.

The metro has also undertaken to provide detailed answers to questions about how the debt escalated to more than R3.5b.

At the time of publication, the city had not yet clarified the terms of the payment arrangement, including repayment timelines and measures to prevent the debt from increasing further.

Eskom previously indicated that it had initiated a public consultation process under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), which could ultimately lead to electricity supply interruptions or limits for municipalities that default on payments.

It remains unclear whether the newly reached payment arrangement will affect the consultation process or the potential implementation of electricity supply reductions in affected areas.

The municipality said it would provide a comprehensive response addressing the outstanding questions once internal processes are finalised.

If Eskom proceeds with its initial intention, parts of Boksburg North, Germiston South, Alberton and Kempton Park could potentially face electricity supply interruptions by this weekend.

The situation has raised serious concerns about the metro’s financial stability and its ability to maintain essential services.

Opposition parties and civil society organisations have criticised the metro’s financial management, warning that residents and businesses who pay their electricity bills could ultimately bear the consequences of the city’s escalating debt to Eskom.

They have also called on the metro to provide urgent clarity on how the debt grew to more than R3b and on the measures to be implemented to prevent the crisis from worsening.

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