The Makhanda High Court has temporarily stopped Eskom from imposing severe electricity cuts of up to 14 hours a day on three Karoo towns over unpaid municipal debt of R532 million.
Judge Justin Laing issued a provisional order preventing the cuts in Steytlerville, Jansenville and Klipplaat until a review application is heard. The Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality owes Eskom R532 million after paying only R55 million of R588 million supplied over three years.
The municipality said its mostly rural and indigent residents left it unable to meet payments despite receiving an equitable share from Treasury. Judge Laing noted that the proposed cuts would threaten residents' constitutional rights to services including water, healthcare and sanitation.
Eskom had sought the cuts as part of debt recovery after the municipality joined but allegedly breached a National Treasury debt relief programme. The national municipal debt to Eskom exceeds R110 billion. The order allows Eskom to argue later why it should not remain in place.
