By Mapaballo Borotho
- Eskom has warned that it could completely switch off electricity in Johannesburg if the city fails to settle its R5.2 billion debt by 8 July.
- The potential power cuts could severely impact households, hospitals, schools, and several Eskom-supplied areas including Soweto and Sandton.
- Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says the city is working to stabilise essential services and improve electricity and water infrastructure.
Eskom has issued the City of Johannesburg a notice stating that it may be forced to completely switch off electricity in Johannesburg due to the city’s ballooning electricity debt.
This will not only affect households, but essential services such as hospitals and schools could also bear the brunt of the power cuts.
Even though the courts have stopped the city from cutting electricity to Johannesburg schools with unpaid bills, Eskom could still pull the plug.
Areas supplied directly by Eskom that could be affected include Soweto, Fourways, Sandton, Orange Farm, and Ivory Park.
Eskom has ordered the City of Johannesburg to pay the R5.2 billion debt owed by 8 July.
Meanwhile, Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero insists that the city is implementing strategies to secure both water and electricity supply.
The mayor said 14 out of the city’s 17 tasks aimed at improving service delivery had been completed over the past year, including projects to stabilise water and electricity provision, such as the completion of the Brixton Reservoir and a turnaround plan for City Power’s finances.
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