It is several days before the extended
cut-off date of October 31, 2023, for the Eskom Municipal Debt Relief Support
Programme. National treasury says 21 Northern Cape municipalities owed Eskom
arrears on 31 March 2023. As of 11 October 2023, 9 of these 21 Northern Cape
municipalities applied for debt relief. The deadline for the debt relief was
originally set for 30 September 2023. The extended date would allow for more
municipalities to apply. The
Democratic Alliance in the Northern Cape believes that drastic action should be
taken to rescue municipalities. The party says at a minimum, this includes
drafting and adhering to payment agreements with Eskom, steps to boost revenue
collection, and ringfencing of funding for specific services.
Journalist: Rene Julies
Email: rckjulies@gmail.com