20.05.2026
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Eskom denies collective punishment claims following Joburg warning

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  • [FILE IMAGE]: Person walks past Eskom powerlines.

Eskom has denied claims that it is collectively punishing residents after issuing a warning that it could reduce or interrupt electricity supply to parts of the City of Johannesburg over unpaid debt.

The utility has issued a formal notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate electricity supply as arrears owed by the metro and City Power continue to rise.

In a statement released yesterday, Eskom said the City of Johannesburg and City Power owe more than R5.2 billion in arrears, excluding an additional R1.5 billion current account payment due on 5 June.

Eskom Acting Group Executive for Distribution Agnes Mlambo says the utility is aware that many residents continue paying for electricity services.

“Unfortunately, this action comes across as punishing the customers or the residents of the city, but it is important to make sure that what is paid to the city, the city passes on. That is why we are notifying the customers of the city of this action because we are aware that some of them are paying the city, but for some reason, the city is not passing on those payments to Eskom,” Mlambo says.

Mlambo says residents need to engage the City over the matter.

“So, what this then means is that the residents or customers of the City of Johannesburg need to resolve this matter with the city,” Mlambo adds.

Eskom says the growing municipal debt continues to place pressure on the utility’s finances and threatens the sustainability of electricity supply operations.

Eskom threatens to cut Joburg’s power


Eskom has given the City of Johannesburg until 8 July to settle outstanding debt of more than R5 billion or face electricity supply interruptions across parts of the city.

The utility yesterday issued a notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate electricity supply should the metro fail to comply with its Electricity Supply Agreement with Eskom.

Eskom says the City of Johannesburg and City Power owe more than R5.2 billion in arrears, excluding an additional R1.5 billion current account payment due on 5 June.

Eskom Acting Group Executive for Distribution Agnes Mlambo says the proposed power interruptions would not amount to a complete blackout.

“It is not an absolute black out. It is similar to load shedding at certain parts of the city, at certain times of the day.”

Mlambo says the interruptions would increase progressively if the debt issue remains unresolved.

“But it will be progressive. So, initially it will be a few hours in a day but as we do not find a solution to the payment, the hours will increase, the coverage will increase, it will be progressive but I’m hoping that we will not get to that situation.”

Eskom says the growing debt owed by municipalities continues to place financial pressure on the utility and threatens the sustainability of electricity supply operations.

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