According to an Eskom spokesperson, Joyce Zingoni, 15 Free State municipalities, including the Mangaung Metro, owe Eskom R16 billion.

She says municipalities such as Maluti-A-Phofung, Matjhabeng, Ngwathe, Nketoana, Phumelela, Mafube, Nala, Mantsopa, Masilinyana, Tokologo, Dihlabeng, Moqhaka, Tswelopele, Setsoto, Letsemeng and the Mangaung Metro receive government grants and payments for services rendered from their customers, but the amount remains unpaid for consumed energy from Eskom.

Zingoni says that the debt threatens security of electricity supply to the residents. She also says that collectively, municipalities account for 78% of the overdue debt in the province.

Also read: Ailing Free State municipalities appear before NCOP

Free State municipalities appeared before the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation and Human Settlements. 

The sitting saw these municipalities being scrutinised for non-payments to service providers and a lack of service delivery to residents.

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