WATCH: Ramokgopa visits Reuven as Joburg-Eskom debt talks gain momentum
The City of Johannesburg, Eskom and the Department of Electricity and Energy commit to collaborative solutions for City Power debt.
The City of Johannesburg, Eskom and the Department of Electricity and Energy have agreed to work together to resolve the long-running debt dispute affecting City Power, with assurances that compliant electricity customers will not bear the brunt of the standoff.
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa visited The Reuven Service Delivery Centre in Johannesburg south on May 27.
The minister addressed the media outside the City Power offices, saying it was in the collective interest of all parties to settle the matter amicably.
@southern.courier The City of Johannesburg, Eskom and the Department of Electricity and Energy commit to collaborative solutions for City Power debt. Full story on southerncourier.co.za
“It is in the collective interest of all parties to resolve the City of Joburg-Eskom debt matter amicably,” Ramokgopa said.
“Residents who continue to pay diligently for electricity services should not be adversely affected by the dispute. Our focus is on protecting paying households while finding a solution that works for the city and Eskom.”
The three parties committed to developing tailored solutions that address their respective needs, while respecting existing court judgments. Officials confirmed that the current payment arrangement remains in place as discussions continue.
Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero welcomed the partnership and said the city was committed to reaching a practical outcome for residents and the municipality.
“We understand the pressure on both the city and Eskom, but the priority must be service delivery and fairness to residents who pay their bills every month,” Morero said.
“Working together with the national government and Eskom gives us the best chance of finding a sustainable path forward.”
The parties said they would continue collaborating to identify a practical and workable path forward to address the municipality’s debt challenges and ensure stability for residents.
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