Eskom chairman’s message about paying for electricity: Enough is enough

Eskom chairman Mteto Nyati said that although they have not yet instituted rolling blackouts in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), the current situation is unacceptable.

“Eskom will reduce, interrupt, or terminate electricity supply to key Johannesburg bulk points as City Power and CoJ arrears hit R5.2 billion. Enough is enough,” he said.

He referred to a firm notice from Eskom to the CoJ about its outstanding debt. Eskom issued a notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate the supply of electricity to certain bulk supply points.

It explained that this drastic action against the CoJ and City Power was necessary because arrears had reached R5.2 billion.

It added that the R5.2 billion excludes the current account, which is due on 5 June 2026, amounting to a further R1.6 billion.

“Eskom has been working with the City of Johannesburg and City Power for over two years to support the metro in meeting its payment obligations,” it said.

It highlighted that they have failed to honour their Electricity Supply Agreement with Eskom, which included repeated defaults.

“It is simply unacceptable to the city’s residents and all South Africans that they are collecting electricity revenue but failing to pay Eskom its share,” it said.

Eskom explained that metro arrear debt undermines its focus on cost efficiency and financial sustainability.

“Revenue can only be increased by collecting electricity debts and/or increasing electricity tariffs,” Eskom said.

Eskom chairman Mteto Nyati shares his views

Nyati shared his views about Eskom’s firm notice to the CoJ in a social media statement, posted on Wednesday, 20 May.

He repeated that Eskom will reduce, interrupt, or terminate electricity supply to key Johannesburg bulk points due to unpaid debt. “Enough is enough,” he said.

Nyati questioned how South Africa, as a society, allows a major metro like Johannesburg to operate with such disregard for accountability.

“It is a betrayal of the citizens we serve and the future we’re fighting to build. We must demand better. Integrity and responsibility cannot be optional in our cities,” he said.

He explained that Eskom’s approach to this issue is rotational power cuts across all parts of Johannesburg.

“Every Johannesburg community, without exception, will get its fair share of power cuts. No one is being spared,” he said.

The Eskom chairman noted that the rolling blackout schedule for Johannesburg has not yet been issued.

“There should be no need for one if the City of Johannesburg simply honours its agreements with Eskom and pays what it owes,” he said.