Eskom
By Thobeka Makume
Emfuleni residents have been urged to pay their electricity bills directly to Eskom instead of the municipality, marking a dramatic shift in how power is managed in the troubled region. This comes as the Emfuleni Local Municipality drowns under an R8 billion debt to the power utility, prompting Eskom to take control of the area’s electricity supply.
Vereeniging, South Africa – 05 March 2025Emfuleni residents have been urged to pay their electricity bills directly to Eskom instead of the municipality, a move that’s shaking up how power is handled in this Gauteng hotspot. The change stems from an agreement between Eskom and the cash-strapped Emfuleni Local Municipality, which owes the power utility a staggering R8 billion. For years, the municipality has struggled to keep up with payments, leaving Eskom no choice but to step in and take over the power supply. “While several customers have already complied with this requirement, it has come to our attention that some customers are still not making payments directly to Eskom,” said Eskom spokesperson Aamanda Qithi. She’s now calling on residents to send their payments straight to the “Eskom First National Bank account, account number: 50851624426,” as the utility fights to stabilise the region’s electricity future.
A Municipality in Crisis: The R8 Billion Debt Bomb
The Emfuleni Local Municipality, home to towns like Vereeniging and Vanderbijlpark, has been in financial quicksand for years. Its debt to Eskom—now topping R8 billion—has ballooned out of control, making it one of the worst offenders among South Africa’s struggling local governments. The municipality’s failure to pay has put Eskom in a tough spot, as the power utility battles to keep the lights on nationwide while chasing billions in unpaid bills.
This isn’t a new problem. Back in 2018, Eskom threatened to cut off Emfuleni’s power over a then-R2.3 billion debt, according to News24. By 2023, that figure had skyrocketed, and a court order in July of that year forced a rethink. The High Court ruled that residents must pay Eskom directly, bypassing the municipality—a decision that’s now being rolled out in full force. Posts on X from @Eskom_SA on 04 March 2025 confirm the shift, urging customers to “pay electricity accounts directly to Eskom” after the agreement was cemented.
For residents, it’s a bitter pill. Many have paid their bills to the municipality in good faith, only to see that money vanish into a black hole. “I’ve been paying my rates, but the lights still flicker,” said Sipho Mthembu, a mechanic from Sebokeng. “Now they say pay Eskom instead? It’s confusing.”
Eskom Takes Charge: A New Power Play
The agreement between Eskom and Emfuleni is a game-changer. Under the deal, the power utility isn’t just collecting payments—it’s taking over the supply of electricity to the area. This means Eskom staff will handle everything from meter readings to maintenance, sidelining the municipality entirely. It’s a rare move, but not unheard of—Eskom pulled a similar stunt in Maluti-a-Phofung, Free State, in 2021 when that municipality’s debt hit R5 billion.
Why the takeover? Eskom says it’s about survival. With municipalities owing it over R70 billion countrywide (as reported by Business Day in February 2025), the utility can’t afford to let debts pile up. Emfuleni’s R8 billion tab is a big chunk of that, and Eskom’s patience has run dry. “We’re stepping in to secure our revenue and keep power flowing,” Aamanda Qithi told reporters on 05 March 2025. “This isn’t about punishment—it’s about practicality.”
The shift has sparked mixed reactions. Some residents welcome Eskom’s firm hand, hoping it means fewer blackouts. Others worry about the logistics. “How do we even pay this account?” asked Nthabiseng Khoza, a single mom from Sharpeville. “The bank details are new, and I don’t trust online payments.”
Aamanda Qithi’s Plea: “Pay Eskom Directly”
Eskom’s spokesperson, Aamanda Qithi, is the voice of this campaign. She’s been blunt about the problem: too many residents are still sending money to the municipality, even after the court order and public notices. “While several customers have already complied with this requirement, it has come to our attention that some customers are still not making payments directly to Eskom,” Qithi said in a statement on 04 March 2025. Her message is clear—stop the old habit, start a new one.
To make it easy, Eskom’s rolled out a dedicated payment channel: the “Eskom First National Bank account, account number: 50851624426.” Qithi’s urging residents to use it, whether through bank transfers, ATMs, or in-branch deposits. “We need everyone on board,” she stressed. “This is how we keep the lights on.”
Posts on X from @vmex_sa on 05 March 2025 back her up, noting that “several customers have already complied” but urging stragglers to catch up. It’s a plea echoed by local leaders, who fear Emfuleni’s debt could drag the whole region down.
The Human Cost: Residents Caught in the Middle
For Emfuleni’s 700,000-plus residents, this saga is more than numbers—it’s personal. Power cuts have plagued the area for years, with businesses shutting down and families left in the dark. The municipality’s mismanagement has hit hard, and now residents are being asked to pivot to a new system overnight.
Take Thandi Ngwenya, a small business owner in Vanderbijlpark. She runs a hair salon that relies on electricity for everything from clippers to lights. “When the power goes, I lose customers,” she said. “I paid the municipality R500 last month, but Eskom says they didn’t get it. Now I must pay again?” Thandi’s story is common—thousands of households are scrambling to figure out where their money’s gone.
Then there’s the elderly, like 72-year-old Peter Maloka from Sebokeng. “I don’t have a smartphone or a car to go to the bank,” he told us. “How do I pay Eskom directly? The municipality used to send someone to collect.” For vulnerable residents, the switch is a logistical nightmare.
Digging Deeper: Why Emfuleni Can’t Pay
So how did Emfuleni rack up R8 billion in debt? It’s a tale of mismanagement, corruption, and bad luck. The municipality’s been under administration since 2018, with provincial officials stepping in to fix its finances. But little has changed. A 2024 report by the Gauteng Treasury, cited by The Citizen, found that Emfuleni was blowing cash on inflated salaries and dodgy contracts while ignoring bills from Eskom and Rand Water (which it owes R3 billion).
Corruption’s part of the mix. In 2023, the Hawks raided municipal offices over allegations of tender fraud, though no big arrests followed. Residents point fingers at officials who’ve pocketed funds meant for services. “The money’s there—it’s just not reaching Eskom,” said local activist Vusi Dlamini.
Economic woes haven’t helped. Emfuleni’s industrial base—once a steel and manufacturing hub—has shrunk, slashing its tax revenue. With unemployment soaring and rates collection tanking, the municipality’s been running on fumes.
The Court Order That Changed Everything
The turning point came in July 2023. Eskom dragged Emfuleni to the High Court in Pretoria, demanding action on the debt. The court’s ruling was a bombshell: residents must pay Eskom directly, and the municipality must hand over control of the power supply. It was a legal lifeline for Eskom, which had threatened to plunge Emfuleni into darkness.
The order wasn’t enforced overnight. It took months of back-and-forth, with Emfuleni dragging its feet. But by early 2025, Eskom had had enough. The agreement announced this week is the final step—Emfuleni’s out, Eskom’s in.
Legal experts say it’s a rare win for a state-owned entity. “This sets a precedent,” said advocate Lerato Moela, a public law specialist. “Other municipalities with big debts could face the same fate.”
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