Councils face darkness

DEBT: ESKOM GIVES FOUR A DEADLINE TO SETTLE R4.9BN THEY ARE OWING

- Jarryd Westerdale

Our municipalities in the Free State face disconnection by Eskom over a combined R4.9 billion debt.

The Nala, Moqhaka, Masilonyana and Ngwathe municipalities were notified yesterday, warning them they had roughly eight weeks to address the arrears.

The four have been engaged in various interventions in recent years, with Eskom stating they had exhausted their options under the Municipal Finance Management Act and related legislation.

Masilonyana and Nala have outstanding accounts of R227 million and R936 million each, while Moqhaka and Ngwathe owe Eskom R1.5 billion and R2.3 billion respectively.

Towns affected include, but would not be limited to, Bothaville and Wesselsbron in Nala, and Kroonstad, Steynsrus and Viljoenskroon in Moqhaka.