Residents in South Africa’s richest city at risk of being plunged into darkness

Residents in Johannesburg are at risk of being plunged into darkness as Eskom threatens to cut off electricity to large parts of the city due to non-payment.

Last month, Eskom threatened to cut power to the City of Johannesburg over unpaid bills and money soon due, which has now reached R6.8 billion.

The City of Johannesburg and its utility, City Power, owed Eskom an arrear debt of R5.25 billion, and a further R1.58 billion, which was due on 5 June 2026.

Despite working with the city for over two years to support it in meeting its payment obligations, the utility said the city has continued to fail to fulfil its end of the process.

“The City of Johannesburg has continually failed to honour its Electricity Supply Agreement with Eskom, which included repeated defaults,” the power utility said.

“Eskom has been forced to issue a notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate the supply of electricity to certain bulk supply points.”

Eskom said it was simply unacceptable for the city’s residents and South Africa as a whole to carry the burden of the city’s debt.

“The City of Johannesburg is collecting electricity revenue but failing to pay over Eskom’s share,” it said.

“While Eskom continues to focus on being cost-efficient, escalating municipal and metro arrear debt undermines these efforts.”

Eskom added that its financial sustainability and ability to supply electricity at affordable prices depend on improving its balance sheet.

It explained that the City of Johannesburg’s behaviour is putting it at risk and making its work more difficult.

Eskom chairman Mteto Nyati said that although they have not yet instituted rolling blackouts in the City of Johannesburg, 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.

The DA launches a petition against power cuts

The Democratic Alliance (DA) handed over a petition with thousands of signatures to Eskom opposing its proposed electricity supply interruptions in Johannesburg.

“The City and its officials’ failure to pay Eskom has left residents on the chopping block,” the party said.

“The resident must pay the price when officials are culpable for the situation through their political mismanagement.”

“Despite residents and businesses having dutifully paid their rates, taxes and bills, they are unfairly bearing the consequences of the city’s maladministration.”

The party explained that with no confirmed agreement between Eskom and the City of Johannesburg, residents, businesses, and critical infrastructure remain at risk.

The DA called for the city’s mayor, Dada Morero, to be held accountable for this crisis, as he is the representative for all public entities in Johannesburg.

“He and his officials are responsible for this lapse in payment and should be held to account,” the DA said.

It added that the city and the officials involved in this debacle must repay the debt to Eskom to resolve the standoff.

They must also engage with Eskom and continue negotiations until a solution is reached that protects residents’ electricity supply.

“They must provide a clear timeline and management plan to the public outlining the corrective course of action going forward,” the DA said.

“They should also extend the period during which residents are able to provide public comment on the matter.”

The DA also called for an investigation into where taxpayers’ money intended for payment to Eskom has disappeared.