Eskom has sent a mysterious bill to Swikoxeni Waste Management (PTY) LTD, demanding the payment of R49 330 despite the premises having no installed electricity at all.

The company is situated on a piece of land between Justicia and Lyllidale trusts in the Bushbuckridge municipality.

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It uses a solar panels to generate electricity to power lights at night and the company owner says he was very shocked to receive the bill.

Since I received the bill a few days ago, I started to have sleepless nights. There is not a single Eskom pole on the premises. But Eskom has the guts to send me a bill of almost R50 000. This is ridiculous. I do not doubt that other people may be experiencing the same challenges as well,” said Bethuel Mashele, the owner of Swikoxeni Waste Management.

The letter of demand, a copy of which Lowvelder is in possession of, says the payment is due on August 22.

Despite the due date being just over 15 days away, the letter contains a threat demanding that the money should be paid immediately.

“Total outstanding debt must be settled immediately. This is subject to disconnection without further notice,” reads the letter.

Mashele said he was mystified as to what there was to disconnect.

“Maybe this means Eskom will come and disconnect the electricity that is not connected. I am stunned and confused about this bizarre payment demand,” said Mashele.

When contacted for comment, Eskom’s communication and stakeholder management practitioner, Lazarus Muthimba, simply appreciated that the matter had been brought to Eskom’s attention

“Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. Please be informed that the customer will be contacted by our customer services team in order to resolve the matter,” said Muthimba.