By: Natasha Archary
The City of Tshwane will need to scramble in order to secure an outstanding R1.17 billion that is owed to Eskom.
This as the power utility moves ahead with plans to cut Tshwane’s power for non-payment.
In July, Eskom billed the city R1.6 billion which Tshwane failed to pay, breaching the agreement in place with the utility.
Eskom’s Senior Customer Services Manager for Gauteng, Daphne Mokwena said a meeting between the municipality’s management was held on the 24 and 30 August to stress the urgency of settling the outstanding bill.
“The municipality assured the power utility that it will pay the outstanding R1,2 billion, but it only made a payment of R80 million. These erratic payments place a huge challenge on Eskom to continue supplying the City with electricity.
“Eskom will proceed with the process of disconnecting the City and act in line with the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Act (IRFA). We have also stopped all projects in the pipeline and will invoke security guarantees.”
Daphne Mokwena
According to Mokwena, Tshwane requested to settle the outstanding bill within 76-days but this has been rejected.
Eskom issued Tshwane with a warning on 23 August for failing to make the payment on 17 August.
“The power utility had numerous engagements with the City of Tshwane’s management to ensure that the City paid its account. Nevertheless, these actions have not yielded any results as the City has continued with the same pattern. “
“The inconsistent payments are both untenable and unacceptable since Eskom’s financial position is well known. The City’s persistent failure to honour its payments places a huge burden on Eskom to continue providing it with electricity.”
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