Power utility Eskom says 11 municipalities in the North West owe it over R7.5 billion. The Klersdorp-based City of Matlosana is the biggest culprit with an unpaid debt of R2.3 billion.
A number of municipalities have made good strides in paying off their debt and Eskom says it will continue to engage with other municipalities to start paying their accounts.
The Ramotshere Moiloa, Maquassie Hills, Lekwa-Teemane, Kgetlengrivier, Madibeng and Naledi local municipalities have all defaulted on their Eskom payments.
The Ditsobotla Local Municipality owes Eskom 1.2 billion Rand and is struggling to fulfill any of their financial obligations. Although a number of these municipalities are participating in a debt relief programme, their debt keeps increasing.
Eskom spokesperson in North West Ezekiel Baruti says, At least 11 municipalities in the North West are owing Eskom in access of R7,5 billion. Now Eskom has managed to arrange with only one municipality while the other 10 top municipalities are participating in the municipal debt relief programme to support them in dealing with historical debt while focusing on the current account. If the municipality fails to pay, Eskom will embark on a mediation process and if everything fails in mediation, we will consider the legal route.
