Tokologo Local Municipality in the Free State will soon be plunged into darkness after failing to pay Eskom over R300 million in electricity debt. Eskom said they've decided to proceed with the disconnection of the bulk electricity supply to Boshof, Seretse, Dealesville and Hertzogville areas under the municipality.

LOADSHEDDING LOOMING

Eskom spokesperson Daphney Mokoena said the mentioned areas will be interrupted daily from January 2025 for a set number of hours per day. "The municipality owes Eskom R328,711,887 for the bulk supply of electricity, excluding the current account of a further R3,682,099, which became due and payable in November," said Mokoena. She added that the last time they received a payment from the municipality was in October 2021 and it was just R150 000. "The municipality charges, collects, and receives money from its customers for the supply of electricity but fails to hand over the portion due to Eskom,' Mokoena said.

ONLY SOLUTION

Eskom said reducing the usage of electricity in the municipality is their last resort. "This is at Eskom's detriment and it is not sustainable. The municipality is responsible for discharging a constitutional obligation but decides to withhold payments to Eskom. The decision by Eskom to proceed with the process to disconnect electricity supply is a measure of last resort to prevent the debt from spiralling out of control."