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The Lesedi Local Municipality which is already struggling to provide basic services to its residents owes Eskom more than double the amount it owed in April 2022.

This is very worrying as it means that this municipality is at risk of having its electricity reduced if they are unable to pay its debt to Eskom.

According to the Gauteng MEC for Finance and e-Government, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, in April Lesedi Local Municipality owed Eskom R20 144 000, 00 and in July the municipality owed Eskom, R44 723 000, 00. This is a staggering increase of 122%.

However, according to an internal memorandum the municipality owes Eskom R111 million and R14,5 million to Rand Water.

Furthermore, the DA has learnt that the Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance currently owes the municipality R37 971 238, 00 for electricity.

To add further fuel to the fire, the municipality has put out a tender for the appointment of service providers for sourcing funds for the implementation of their planned infrastructure projects.

This is of great concern as the municipality’s officials are already sitting around doing very little because of a lack of adequate budgets for service delivery.

It is high time that this municipality learns from the Midvaal Local Municipality on how best to manage its budget and debt. As indicated by the MEC, the Midvaal Local Municipality has had no increase in its debt to Eskom between May and July 2022.

The DA will put pressure on the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairss to pay their outstanding electricity bill. This money will go a long way to reduce the current amount owed by the municipality to Eskom. In addition our councillors will also bring this matter to council so that arrangements can be made to pay the debt owed to Eskom.

The ever-increasing debt to Eskom by this municipality is proof that our residents deserve a government that is focused on ensuring that service delivery takes place unhindered.

Issued by Adriana Randall MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Finance and e-Government