Eskom Warns Johannesburg of Power Cuts over Unpaid Debt

Johannesburg could face electricity cuts from 8 July if the city does not settle more than R5.2 billion owed to Eskom.

Eskom acting group executive for distribution, Agnes Mlambo, warned that the City of Johannesburg and City Power had fallen behind on a court-ordered payment arrangement covering both historic debt and current accounts.

She explained that the city had been paying late since November 2024, but the situation worsened after it fell more than a month behind on current bills.

“It is important that you maintain the payments that are due to Eskom... It is important for us that we continue to supply electricity to the country. So, this is not about punishment,” Mlambo said.

Any power cuts would be introduced gradually rather than affecting the whole city at once, she added.

“When we do the cut-off, we do not cut off 100% of the areas at the same time. It is meant to be progressive from day one,” she said.

Mlambo noted that some customers in Johannesburg are supplied directly by Eskom and would not be affected by the debt dispute.

She stressed that the utility was still engaging with the city in search of a solution, saying the aim was to protect both residents and the wider electricity system.

“We have just celebrated 365 days without load shedding, and that can only be possible if all our customers pay for the electricity we supply,” she said.

Mlambo also disclosed that municipalities across South Africa owe Eskom R111 billion in total, with 61 municipalities reportedly failing to meet debt-relief conditions.