Gauteng premier wants Soweto's Eskom debt of close to R5bn written off

[rvZA]

After government's commitment to pay billions to settle Sanral's e-toll debt, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi also wants Soweto's debt to Eskom – nearly R5 billion - scrapped.

"Minister Godongwana, we truly appreciate how you respect negotiations. Can we safely assume that the Soweto Eskom electricity debt and that of other townships is also scrapped as per our intensive lobby?" Lesufi tweeted on Friday.

According to Lesufi, debt forgiveness is needed for "townships", informal settlements and hostels to develop.

"Our argument remains, if Eskom debt is taken over by the central government, what our people owe Eskom in townships, informal settlements and hostels must also be scrapped. We need to reposition our townships, informal settlements and hostels so that they can be centres of growth."

Eskom has already written off billions in unpaid electricity bills in Soweto – in 2020 alone, it wrote off nearly R8 billion in overdue debt.

As of 30 September 2022, Soweto still owed the power utility R4.7 billion, the utility confirmed on Friday.

Gauteng premier wants Soweto's Eskom debt of close to R5bn written off | Business

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says that if government takes over a portion of Eskom's debt, then municipalities should also get grace for the debt they owe the power utility.

www.news24.com

 

[rvZA]

How about the debt of the white minorities in South Africa who are prevented access to jobs and the economy by AA and BEE?

 

[R13...]

Well Panyaza, write offs are great but it doesn't look like the good folk of Soweto started making payment after the 2020 write offs. If they actually show that they'll pay maybe we can discuss write offs. Like maybe start paying for what they use over a sustained period? Radical I know, but Lesufi is a populist so he'll rather tell the minister and Eskom to write off but not the leeches to start paying.

 

[3WA]

Just write off Soweto.

 

[TheChamp]

Well Panyaza, write offs are great but it doesn't look like the good folk of Soweto started making payment after the 2020 write offs. If they actually show that they'll pay maybe we can discuss write offs. Like maybe start paying for what they use over a sustained period? Radical I know, but Lesufi is a populist so he'll rather tell the minister and Eskom to write off but not the leeches to start paying.

They all love making populist statements in their hope to win the Soweto vote, I wonder if the executive Mayor still remembers that he promised to march with Soweto residents if Eskom doesn't solve their electricity problem.

Not one of them would ever come out and urge the residents to commit themselves to solving their own problem which starts with audits, prepaid meters and actually buying electricity. The debt would not be much of a problem if the residents actually allowed Eskom to get rid of illegal connections and everyone paid for electricity.

 

[zophas]

Why is Soweto still getting power if they owe so much? How does that work? If I don't pay one month I get cut off almost the day after my payment was due.

 

[BBSA]

Time to set-up a bitcoin farm in Soweto.

 

[rvZA]

Well Panyaza, write offs are great but it doesn't look like the good folk of Soweto started making payment after the 2020 write offs. If they actually show that they'll pay maybe we can discuss write offs. Like maybe start paying for what they use over a sustained period? Radical I know, but Lesufi is a populist so he'll rather tell the minister and Eskom to write off but not the leeches to start paying.

I am sure he made the maths. R5bn lost, make it up quickly from what is remaining in the middle-class in the suburbs and move on.

 

[mojoman]

Toni says its almost time for ELECTION NIGHT FEVER
(Endless lies and craZy empty promises coming soon to a town near you...)

 

[ForceFate]

Why is Soweto still getting power if they owe so much? How does that work? If I don't pay one month I get cut off almost the day after my payment was due.

Illegal connections even if they get disconnected. If you bypass a meter or entire settlement unlawfully connects, with some running welding businesses off it, it's going to rack up the bill quickly.

 

[lumeer]

That's why I'm not sure Eskom can be saved anymore.

 

[Vrotappel]

Obviously.

Millions of voters there.

 

[Stokstert]

Eskom wants to cut off Tshwane for ~R1.6bn, but Soweto is safe with R5bn, wtf.