Eskom says Lesedi Municipality owes it R112 million

Eskom on Monday said the Lesedi Local Municipality owes it R122 million after it failed to pay its August account which was due at the end of last month.

According to a statement issued by Eskom, the R122 million includes the outstanding R86 million which the municipality has owed since June 2022, when the local authority short-paid its account of R58 million.

“For the month of July, Lesedi was billed R72 million which was payable and due on 26 August 2022. The municipality failed again to honour its obligation and no payment was made towards the July 2022 account.”

“On 29 August 2022, Eskom billed the municipality R116 million inclusive of the June arrear amount, and the full July account, with Lesedi Municipality paying only R30 million by 14 September 2022. A bill of R112 million, inclusive of the R86 million arrears from the August account, was issued to Lesedi on 30 September 2022. This is due and payable on 31 October 2022.”

Eskom said it had engagements with the Lesedi management team which were not fruitful.

“Eskom is complying with the Electricity Supply Agreement (ESA) signed by both parties as it continues to supply the local government with the required electricity to meet its obligations to its customers.”

“Regrettably, Lesedi has failed to meet its end of the agreement in breach of the ESA, making it very difficult for Eskom to continue with its supply mandate.”

City of Tshwane settled R1.6bn Eskom debt

Last month, City of Tshwane confirmed that it settled the R 1.6 billion outstanding debt it owed embattled state-owned entity Eskom.

The parastatal threatened to disconnect the City to secure the outstanding payment.

ALSO READ: Financially challenged Tshwane settles massive R1.6bn Eskom debt

Load shedding returns

Meanwhile, Eskom on Sunday announced that the blackouts will return in the evenings from Monday to Wednesday.

Eskom said that stage 2 load shedding will be implemented from 4pm to midnight on those days.

“Eskom will endeavour to limit load shedding to night-time to have minimal impact on the economy and population,” it said.

ALSO READ: No surprise as Eskom announces return of load shedding