Emfuleni Local Municipality has officially signed the distribution agency agreement with Eskom, as instructed by the Pretoria High Court order on 5 July 2023.

GIVE IT TO ESKOM

The court ordered the municipality to appoint Eskom as its service delivery agent to perform all functions and services relating to the municipality's electricity business on its behalf. "Eskom and Emfuleni Local Municipality have also reached an agreement relating to the attachment of the bank accounts and to ensure that the municipality is able to pay salaries to its employees," said Eskom in a statement. It is not clear why the municipality took over a year to honour the court order.

ATTACHED ACCOUNTS

This comes after the successful attachment of Emfuleni's four bank accounts on 11 September 2024 by the Sheriff of the High Court. The instruction came from Eskom to enforce the court order obtained against the municipality for non-payment of the bulk electricity account. "Emfuleni Local Municipality and Eskom are committed to work closely together with other relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition. The municipality has committed to cooperate with Eskom and comply with the Distribution Agency," said the power utility.

CHANGE THE GAME PLAN

MEC for Development and Finance Lebogang Maile said at this critical point Gauteng Treasury needs to intervene in the matter of Emfuleni local municipality. Maile said they told the municipality that their structure is too big and that they must look reducing it significantly. "We are suggesting that they scrape vacancies that are not important. They must now implement strict measures, unfortunately, if they are to get out of this situation. We will help them, but it requires the municipality to take decisive and responsible action," Maile said.