By Lungile Ntimba
Eskom has temporarily suspended its Promotion of Administrative Justice Act (PAJA) notice of potential power interruption, against the City of Joburg and City power following their partial payment of the debt.
This suspension was to allow the Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s process undertaken by an independent expert regarding alleged historical overbilling to be concluded.
Last month, after the Minister’s engagement with executives from the City of Johannesburg, City Power, and Eskom, an agreement was reached to appoint an independent expert to investigate the disputed alleged overbilling of approximately R3.4 billion, with an initial deadline set for last Monday.
“This deadline was subsequently extended to 6 December 2024 for the report to be delivered to the Minister. Eskom continues to fully support the process,” Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokoena said.
The City of Johannesburg and City Power were required to pay R1.4 billion for their September 2024 invoice to suspend Eskom’s PAJA notice. However, only R1.3 billion was paid, falling short of the agreed amount.
“The October 2024 invoice of R1.3 billion that was due to be paid by Friday 29 November 2024 remains unpaid at this time. CoJ and City Power have committed to make a further payment by Friday, 6 December 2024, towards the debt,” said Mokoena.
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