An investigation by the municipality indicates that the majority of businesses that owe money are found in Harrismith and Qwaqwa.

Executive mayor Gilbert Mokotso has appealed to the businesses to stop using electricity for free, as this will lead to a crisis.

According to Mokotso, some businesses have not paid for electricity for over eight years.

The municipality owes Eskom more than R6 billion.

Mokotso says it's very difficult to negotiate a payment plan with the power utility as most businesses and residents don’t pay for electricity.

It is calculated that out of 1 000 households per ward in Qwaqwa, only about twenty pay for electricity.

OFM News/Tumelo Khotha