Dada Morero Pleads With Ramokgopa To Stop Eskom Power Cuts In Johannesburg

Dada Morero has appealed to Electricity and Energy Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to intervene and prevent possible electricity supply interruptions in Johannesburg linked to the city’s escalating debt to Eskom.

Morero warned that ordinary residents, businesses and essential services could suffer severe consequences if power supply is disrupted because of unpaid municipal arrears estimated at R5.2 billion.

The mayor said urgent intervention was needed to shield Johannesburg residents and businesses from widespread electricity disruptions that could affect South Africa’s economic hub.

Eskom Warns Of Possible Johannesburg Power Supply Interruptions

Power utility on Tuesday issued a formal notice indicating its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate electricity supply to parts of Johannesburg. The utility said the debt owed by the metro and City Power had continued to grow despite years of engagement.

Eskom said it had spent more than two years trying to resolve the issue with the city, but repeated failures to honour payment obligations forced the utility to consider stronger measures.

The power utility warned that some bulk electricity supply points could be affected if the matter was not urgently resolved, raising concerns about potential outages in parts of Johannesburg.

“It simply cannot be acceptable to the city’s residents and all South Africans that the City of Johannesburg and City Power are collecting electricity revenue but failing to pay over Eskom’s share,” Eskom said.

Johannesburg Debt To Power Utility Raises Concerns Over Economic Impact

Morero cautioned that power interruptions could have devastating effects on households, businesses and public services across the city. Johannesburg is regarded as South Africa’s financial and economic centre, making any supply disruption a major concern for economic activity.

Eskom said growing municipal debt was placing significant pressure on its finances and threatening its ability to provide electricity at sustainable and affordable tariffs.

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The utility explained that improving revenue collection remained essential to stabilising its operations and long-term financial sustainability.

“Revenue can only be increased by collecting electricity debts and/or increasing electricity tariffs,” Eskom said.

The utility also warned that unpaid municipal accounts contribute to financial strain that could ultimately influence future tariff increases.

Eskom Intensifies Crackdown On Municipal Debt

The latest dispute comes as Eskom ramps up efforts to recover mounting municipal debt across the country. The utility has repeatedly identified unpaid municipal accounts as one of the biggest threats to its balance sheet and operational stability.

However, Eskom noted that several municipalities had already started working with the utility to address debt challenges. According to the power utility, nine municipalities have entered processes aimed at formal agreements to improve electricity distribution and revenue collection.

Morero has now called on Ramokgopa and national government to urgently engage with the city and Eskom to prevent Johannesburg residents from being caught in the middle of the escalating financial dispute.

If the proposed supply interruptions proceed, parts of Johannesburg could face significant disruptions affecting homes, businesses and critical services.