Free State, Eskom hammer out a lasting solution
Today, Eskom and Free State Province held intense closed door conversations in an effort to find sustainable solutions regarding payment plans to resolve outstanding arrear debt on Eskom accounts.
Led by Eskom’s Interim Group Chief Executive, Matshela Koko, and Free State Director-General, Kopung Ralikontsane, the two delegations engaged robustly yet markedly cordially.
“We agreed to suspend electricity supply interruptions to the seven defaulting municipalities in the Free State following their payments in line with the PAJA process. Their January current account will be paid by mid February 2017,” Koko elaborated.
The two parties also agreed that while the outstanding arrear debt cannot be written off, certain elements need urgent review.
Echoing Koko’s words, Ralikontsane said: “We also agreed on installation of the prepaid meters as being the lasting revenue management solution which can help us avoid the current debt escalation. We should be able to start implementation by July 2017 at the latest in a number of municipalities.” We encourage municipalities to sustain current account payments to Eskom.
The Free State colleagues raised billing issues, added Koko, and we have committed to engage on these issues within the next two weeks. “The meeting further agreed on the dates of March and May 2017 to conclude the administrative processes that are needed to allow Eskom to complete the Revenue Management function in the identified municipalities.
This will create a space for implementation to start after March and July 2017 respectively, said Ralikontsane.
“We want to pass our sincere gratitude for the serious manner in which the Free State Provincial Government is handling the situation.
