{"id":117299,"date":"2026-07-28T11:05:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T11:05:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/?p=117299"},"modified":"2026-07-28T11:05:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T11:05:43","slug":"afriforum-demands-answers-regarding-mohokare-municipalitys-r135-million-eskom-debt-and-proposed-debt-agreement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/afriforum-demands-answers-regarding-mohokare-municipalitys-r135-million-eskom-debt-and-proposed-debt-agreement\/","title":{"rendered":"AfriForum demands answers regarding Mohokare Municipality\u2019s R135 million Eskom debt and proposed debt agreement"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

AfriForum gave the Mohokare Local Municipality seven working days to provide answers regarding the reasons for the municipality\u2019s massive, accumulated debt to Eskom, which now threatens to plunge Zastron, Rouxville, and Smithfield into darkness. In a letter sent to Mopedi Mohale, the Acting Mayor of the Mohokare Municipality, on Friday the organisation demanded clarity on how the debt \u2013 amounting to R135 million \u2013 was accrued, as well as the status and terms of the proposed agreement for settling this debt.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to media reports, Eskom had already notified the municipality in writing on 4 July that the power supply would be suspended if the outstanding account was not settled by Friday 17 July. Since then, however, Eskom appears to have changed its stance, threatening to cut the power unless a repayment agreement is reached between the utility and the municipality. It has further been reported that the municipality is currently negotiating with Eskom regarding the debt repayment, yet councillors and residents are receiving little to no feedback on the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to information regarding the accumulation of debt and the repayment agreement reportedly being negotiated, AfriForum is demanding specific details about the outstanding debt amount, interest charged, and any other additional costs added to the total. The organisation also requests a copy of Eskom\u2019s original letter dated 4 July; confirmation of whether the suspension of electricity supply is still being contemplated; and improved communication with residents regarding the situation and the proposed recovery plan to prevent a recurrence of the debt problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Christo Groenewald, AfriForum\u2019s District Coordinator for Bloemfontein, it is unacceptable that residents and businesses who faithfully pay their Eskom accounts might have to bear the consequences of the municipality\u2019s financial mismanagement. \u201cResidents have the right to know how the debt accumulated, what the current negotiations entail, and whether the electricity supply is at risk,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mohokare Municipality\u2019s Eskom debt fiasco follows closely on the heels of the National Treasury\u2019s announcement earlier this month that the equitable share grant for this municipality \u2013 as well as for 68 other struggling municipalities \u2013 had been temporarily withheld due to persistent financial mismanagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe municipality cannot continue to make important financial decisions behind closed doors while residents bear the risk of power outages. Transparency and decisive action are now essential,\u201d says Groenewald.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AfriForum warns that it is prepared to escalate the matter to Eskom, the Provincial Treasury, and the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs should the municipality fail to respond satisfactorily to its inquiries within the stipulated timeframe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AfriForum tackles incompetent municipal management<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poor municipal management leads to the collapse of service delivery. Add your voice to AfriForum\u2019s fight against incompetent municipal management here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n