Ms Ina Cilliers, the DA (Democratic Alliance) constituency head for Merafong, says the case was opened last week. It related to monies that Merafong residents had paid for electricity in good faith. The municipality never paid the money over to Eskom, however. “The case number is 349/8/2020. We have received confirmation from the SAPS in Carletonville that the matter is under investigation. As a result of such breaches, residents have been subjected to a reduced supply of bulk electricity, despite paying for the supply of power,” says Cilliers. Earlier this year, Eskom stated that the Merafong Local Municipality owed them R272,214,596.71 for electricity. It had breached its payment obligations by failing to pay its debt to the power utility. The Carletonville police confirmed that the case has been opened and says the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, better known as the Hawks, is now investigating it. 
