Media Room

11 August 2017 - We have noted Eskom notices and media reports made to disconnect the municipality (ELM) as of the 3 October 2017, meaning the area will be without electricity for some other times as stipulated.

This has sent panic to all the residents, in particular to the businesses and those that are paying promptly their municipal accounts. However, the municipality wishes to clarify the following facts: That indeed, it has fallen behind in respect of accounts payment of both RAND WATER AND ESKOM due to non- payment of services by the residence. These debts are however historical in nature, and the municipality has been navigating to settle these arrears for the bulk services, being Water and Electricity since June and July.

In the month of June and July 2017, the municipality has paid Rand Water R205 893 219.96 million, and also paid Eskom an amount of R230 million in an effort to bring these accounts to normality. Currently the amount owed to Eskom is as R273 million which is current, R203 Millions which is within the 30 days payment cycle and only R51 Million as per our information is older than 60 days. The municipality management is currently engaging with ESKOM to understand why such a notice was issued out while there has been concerted effort by the municipality to settle the outstanding debt. In this regard, COGTA Gauteng and Gauteng Provincial Treasury will be leading the negotiations on arrangements that will ensure that the paying customers are not affected negatively. The municipality wishes to place it on record, it will not allow the situation to deteriorate further, to adversely affect its communities. Further communication on this matter will be made as soon as the amicable solution is reached.

The municipality continues to encourage communities to pay for all their municipal services accounts so that it is able to provide sustainable, efficient and effective services, which are not affected by cut offs, erratic waste collections, potholes and water shortages as is the case at the moment. The municipality is already overburdened by a debt from residence of Emfuleni in the tune of R5 billion. This has negatively affected the municipality to be financially sustainable and continue to operate smoothly in continuously providing basic services in line with its constitutional mandate. We urge you to pay or make arrangements to settle all your current and outstanding debt. Please contact our customer care hotline on 016 950 5109 and physically visit our customer walk in center at Ok Building in President Kruger Street Vanderbijlpark to settle your account or make arrangements or register as an indigent for free services.

Issued by Emfuleni Local Municipality
Mr. Stanley Gaba
Acting Manager: Communications
Contact: 0835017818