KEY POINTS
- South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, has warned it may cut electricity supply to parts of Ekurhuleni if the metro fails to settle a R3.4 billion debt by April 16, 2026.
- The warning forms part of a broader crackdown on about 14 municipalities that have failed to pay electricity bills for at least 18 months.
- Eskom says persistent municipal debt threatens its financial stability and could lead to power interruptions or prepayment electricity systems.
South Africa’s state-owned power utility, Eskom, has issued a formal notice warning that it could reduce or completely interrupt electricity supply to large parts of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality if the city fails to settle a multi-billion-rand debt.
The utility said the municipality currently owes R3.4 billion in unpaid electricity bills. If the debt is not addressed, Eskom says it may begin interrupting bulk electricity supply to the metro from April 16, 2026.
Ekurhuleni is one of South Africa’s largest metropolitan municipalities and covers several major urban centres, including Alberton, Boksburg, Benoni, Brakpan, Edenvale, Germiston, and Kempton Park.
In a notice issued by Eskom, the utility warned that the municipality’s failure to settle its electricity account despite several interventions had forced it to consider stronger measures.
“The municipality has failed or neglected to settle its electricity account with Eskom on the due date despite several interventions, including dispute resolution,” the notice said.
Civil Group Demands Accountability
Meanwhile, civil rights organisation AfriForum has written formally to Ekurhuleni’s executive leadership demanding answers over what it describes as poor financial management.
The group wants the municipality to explain how the debt accumulated and what steps are being taken to prevent residents from bearing the consequences of the dispute.
The intervention comes amid growing concern about the rising debt owed to Eskom by municipalities across the country.
The warning to Ekurhuleni is part of a broader move by Eskom to address unpaid electricity bills owed by municipalities nationwide.
On March 5, 2026, the power utility announced it would issue legal notices to around 14 municipalities that have failed to pay their electricity accounts.
According to Eskom, these municipalities have not settled their debts for at least 18 months and have also failed to comply with conditions under the National Treasury’s municipal debt relief programme.
The notices are being issued under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA), which gives affected municipalities the opportunity to make representations before Eskom proceeds with enforcement actions.
