Eskom has issued a public notice indicating its intention to reduce bulk electricity supply to parts of Ekurhuleni due to an outstanding debt exceeding R3b, which continues to grow.

While the metro had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication, opposition parties in council say official documents from the city manager’s office confirm that the municipality currently owes Eskom more than R3.58b, accumulated over several months.

The power utility has initiated a formal legal process that could ultimately lead to electricity supply interruptions or limits for municipalities that have defaulted on payments across the country, including Ekurhuleni.

As part of the process, Eskom has begun a public consultation in terms of the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (Paja), giving interested and affected parties an opportunity to make representations before further action is considered.

Speaking to 702 host John Perlman on Afternoon Drive with John Perlman, Agnes Mlambo said that if ongoing negotiation with the metro fails to resolve the debt issue, Eskom may implement scheduled power interruptions.

According to Mlambo, the first measure would involve switching off electricity for a number of hours each day, similar to load-shedding, in order to reduce overall consumption. If payment is still not forthcoming, those outage periods could gradually be extended.

Mlambo emphasised that cutting electricity is not Eskom’s preferred option. “It is not our intention to switch off the power,” she said, adding that the utility is left with limited remedies after repeated attempts to resolve the matter have proved unsuccessful.

The situation has raised concerns about the city’s financial stability, the potential impact on residents and businesses, and the municipality’s ability to maintain essential services.

If the notice proceeds, parts of Boksburg North, Germiston South, Alberton and Kempton Park could potentially face electricity supply interruptions by April 14.

‘Poor’ financial management

Democratic Alliance (DA) Ekurhuleni caucus leader, councillor Brandon Pretorius, said Eskom’s notice highlights the city’s failure to apply sound financial management.

“The power utility has indicated that it can no longer shoulder the city’s failure to pay and will have to intervene, either by limiting supply or selling electricity directly to consumers,” Pretorius said. “Should this happen, the city’s ability to generate revenue from electricity sales will be negatively impacted, ultimately crippling what little services are still being delivered to residents.”

Meanwhile, civil rights organisation AfriForum criticised the metro’s financial management, saying residents deserve answers as the municipality’s Eskom debt continues to climb. Nadia Olckers said residents who consistently pay their electricity bills should not bear the consequences of municipal mismanagement.

“In February 2022, the metro owed Eskom approximately R544 million. By October 2023 the debt had grown to about R1.5 billion. By February 2025 it reached R2.3 billion, and it has now increased to more than R3.4 billion,” said Olckers. “This clearly shows that the metro’s Eskom debt is now out of control.”

In a letter sent to the metro on March 6, AfriForum demanded urgent clarity on how the municipality intends to resolve the crisis and prevent residents from being affected.

“Millions of residents and thousands of businesses could soon be plunged into darkness, despite faithfully paying for electricity,” said Olckers.

“To mitigate the crisis, many institutions such as schools and hospitals, as well as vulnerable residents who depend on a stable power supply may have to make costly alternative arrangements simply because the metro cannot meet its obligations and ensure sustainable financial management.”