The power utility is now rolling out power cuts until municipalities start paying.
Eskom is owed R13.2-billion by 6 municipalities in the province.
Eskom said four of these municipalities account for 86% of the debt in Mpumalanga, with Witbank alone accounting for close to 50%.
eMalahleni owes R5.9 billion outstanding, Govan Mbeki R2.9 billion, Thaba Chweu R1 billion, City of Mbombela R770 million, Victor Khanye R465 million, Mkhondo R316 million, Msukaligwa R154 million, Dipaleseng R101 million and Emakhazeni R64 million.
Residents have now begun experiencing power cuts.
Eskom says the failure by the municipalities to honour their debt is impacting severely on its operations.
ALSO SEE: Eskom has no right to cut electricity to residents
Eskom argue that the municipalities have been receiving grants from national and provincial governments but never paid a cent of any of the grants to Eskom.
Therefore Eskom will cut electricity to residents as part of forcing the municipalities to pay monies owed. And according to Eskom’s provincial manager Collin Reddy, the debt is crippling Eskom’s ability to deliver services.
“This behaviour of not honouring account payments threatens the security of supply to the citizens residing in these supply areas as Eskom cannot continue to maintain its infrastructure and supply electricity for free.
“These municipalities receive government grants as well as payment for services rendered from their loyal customers. However, Eskom remains unpaid for the electricity consumed by these municipalities,” Reddy added.
(edited by ZK)
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