In the long run, this is probably a good change. However, it may mean more hassles for residents who only receive one bill from Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) and will probably have to do the calculations themselves to pay the correct amount to Eskom.

There is a possibility that Emfuleni will amend the service bill to indicate the portion payable to Eskom on the bill.

A media statement issued by Gerda Senekal, FF Plus councillor in Emfuleni, confirmed the rumours.

Emfuleni is expected to inform its account holders to comply with Eskom’s request from April 1.

“This follows a court ruling from June 2023 that is now finally being enforced. It appointed Eskom as agent for the collection of electricity bills due to the municipality’s default on payments to the national power supplier,” Senekal explains.

ELM’s debt to Eskom already amounted to an astronomical R5.9b in 2022, after which the municipality applied for the debt relief programme. The programme is monitored by the National Treasury.

“The municipality was unable to meet the agreement to pay off its historical debt and keep its current electricity bill up to date, after which Eskom withdrew the benefit,” says Senekal.

“Eskom began to implement the High Court order last year and about a thousand businesses in Emfuleni were then requested to pay their outstanding electricity bills directly to Eskom.”

“The full order has now been implemented to also include households,” says Senekal.

According to her statement, the FF Plus foresees major challenges with the payment of electricity bills to Eskom, as residents only receive one bill from Emfuleni and now have to make the calculations themselves.

Problems can creep in if it is not done on time or accurately.

This can lead to households having their power cut off even though their bills have been fully or partially settled.

“If Emfuleni had not been guilty of mismanagement and the municipality had managed successfully, consumers would have been spared this inconvenience. Residents are now being punished for the ANC government’s incompetence,” says Senekal.

“The FF Plus will remain in contact with residents to help with any problems and when the new arrangement fails, the municipality will be held responsible,” concludes Senekal.

This is how it works:

1. All 76 000 account holders in Emfuleni must now pay Eskom directly.
2. Electricity consumption, plus basic, plus VAT must be paid to Eskom.
3. Residents must use their ELM account number as a reference.
4. The bank details in which bills are payable:

Eskom/Emfuleni

First National Bank

Account number: 50851624426

Branch code: 223626

Reference: ELM account number.

Send proof of payment to: eskom.co.za and vipaccounts@emfuleni.gov.za