Johannesburg – Eskom has warned that the City of Johannesburg and City Power could face electricity supply interruptions at key bulk supply points due to unpaid arrears exceeding R5.2 billion.
The utility said the city and City Power repeatedly failed to honour their electricity supply agreement, despite Eskom working with them for more than two years to address the debt crisis.
“As a result of CoJ/CP’s continued failure to honour its Electricity Supply Agreement with Eskom, including repeated defaults, Eskom has been forced to issue a notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt and/or terminate the supply of electricity to certain bulk supply points against the City of Johannesburg and City Power,” Eskom said in a statement.
Eskom issues a notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt and/or terminate the supply of electricity to certain bulk supply points against the City of Johannesburg and City Power as arrear debt reaches R5.2 billion pic.twitter.com/8LB8goJhfQ
— Eskom Hld SOC Ltd (@Eskom_SA) May 19, 2026
It said an additional R1.58 billion is due on the current account by 5 June 2026, warning that municipalities collecting electricity revenue without paying Eskom threatens its financial sustainability and ability to provide affordable electricity.
The utility added that the Johannesburg debt forms part of a wider municipal arrears crisis, with municipal debt rising from R20 billion in 2019 to R105 billion by September 2025.
Eskom said it is working with municipalities on long-term debt solutions through Distribution Agency Agreements aimed at improving technical and financial sustainability.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
