Eskom to cut power to defaulting Mpumalanga municipality

Residents of a municipality in Mpumalanga could be left in the dark over the festive season after it failed to settle its outstanding bill of R1.2bn with the national power utility, Eskom.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said Eskom was planning intermittent power cuts to the eMalahleni Local Municipality from November 20, but decided to give it “the benefit of the doubt” and continue negotiating with the council to try and arrange a payment agreement.

However, no agreement could be reached.

“After thorough review and consideration of the submissions received, Eskom has reached a decision on the contemplated electricity interruptions in eMalahleni Local Municipality. Eskom has decided to proceed with the interruptions as of 14 December 2017,” Eskom said.

“A formal notice will be shared in the local newspapers during the week of 4 – 8 December 2017.”

Residents of eMalahleni will see their power cut between 6am and 8am and again between 5pm and 7pm.

At the end of July this year, total municipal debt to Eskom stood at R11 billion. The company said at the time that the mounting debt left it with no other choice but to effect power cuts.

– African News Agency (ANA)