Eskom stays power cuts
The power utility gives 10 municipalities reprieve for arrears payments
Ten municipalities facing power interruptions have been given a brief reprieve to figure out how to pay outstanding billions to power utility Eskom. Eskom announced in the High Court of North Gauteng on Wednesday that it would postpone scheduled interruptions to seven municipalities in the Free State and three in North West to January 16 to give them time to pay their arrears. The interruptions had been scheduled to start on Thursday. Eskom says the 10 councils make up only half of the top 20 defaulters owing more than R10.2bn over the past eight months alone. About R7bn has been recovered from other councils in the North West, Free State and Mpumalanga. Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe told Business Day the utility had met with the municipalities in December to discuss postponing the interruptions. However, he said the councils must develop solid repayment plans over the next six days. “We didn’t have to make the commitment. But we said, based on the high number of public holidays in ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.