Top South African city owes R7.23 billion to Eskom and R3.11 billion to Rand Water

The Ekurhuleni Metro is facing significant financial challenges, with its creditors standing at R13.26 billion on 30 June 2026.

Ekurhuleni Metro Council member Denise Janse van Rensburg said there is a mismatch between the picture the city paints and reality.

Janse van Rensburg cited the Ekurhuleni Metro’s public statements, which point to a well-run and financially healthy city.

However, the Metro’s unaudited financial and performance results for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year show a city in distress.

The Ekurhuleni Metro’s outstanding creditors amounted to approximately R8 billion at the end of May 2026. This looks flattering considering previous statements.

The fourth-quarter report indicated that Ekurhuleni’s total creditors stood at approximately R13.26 billion on 30 June 2026.

This includes R7.23 billion owed to Eskom, R3.11 billion to Rand Water and R1.11 billion to the Ekurhuleni Water Care Company (ERWAT).

“So, the reported creditors’ balance shot up by about R5.26 billion within a single month,” Janse van Rensburg said.

“We want an explanation for why the creditors’ balance climbed from approximately R8 billion to R13.26 billion in just one month.”

“We are not accusing the Metro of being R13.26 billion in arrears. We merely demand that the discrepancy be fully and transparently disclosed.”

Another concern is that outstanding consumer debtors have reached R39.7 billion, of which R31.9 billion has been outstanding for longer than 90 days.

“At the same time, electricity revenue falls approximately R2.83 billion short of the budget,” Janse van Rensburg said.

“Ekurhuleni residents deserve more than the assurance that the Metro is managing its finances well. They deserve to see figures that prove it.”