The House Chairperson for International Relations and Members Support in the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), Mr Bheki Radebe, has welcomed the City of Matlosana Local Municipality’s efforts to service its Eskom debt.
Mr Radebe was leading an NCOP delegation in an oversight visit to a high mast lights installation project in Khuma and Kanana townships, as part of the Taking Parliament to the People programme currently underway in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda District Municipality, North West, when the Executive Mayor of Matlosana Councillor, Mr Fikile Mahlophe, gave a progress report on the municipality’s Eskom debt, which stands at over R2 billion.
“We are in Eskom debt relief programme, which is monitored by the National Treasury. I must indicate that we are chasing a moving target because our agreement says we must pay the current account for us to get relief and we have managed to pay the current account amidst the difficulties. In the last three months, Eskom has erased R480 million because of our performance,” the Mayor explained.
However, he added, things are not looking good in Matlosana and the culture of non-payment is increasing because of many people have lost their jobs due to the closure of mines in the area.
The House Chairperson welcomed the municipality’s efforts to service the debt, saying the amount erased is significant. “The fact that the municipality is making efforts to service its debt with Eskom is commendable. It must be encouraged and we would like to see other municipalities that owe Eskom also making an effort to pay their debt,” Mr Radebe said.
The NCOP delegation also welcomed the roll-out of the high mast lights in several wards across Kanana and Khuma township, and hopes it will help reduce crime in the area. The delegation also heard that the electricity infrastructure in Matlosana is frequently vandalised by cable thieves, who steal the copper to sell in scrapyards.
Without giving too much detail, Mayor Mahlophe said the municipality in collaboration with the South African Police Services is working on plans to address the problem, which will target scrapyard and a possible replacement of copper with other materials such aluminium.
According to the Mayor, with the high mast lights, the replacement of copper with aluminium would not be possible due to the high electricity current. However, in other areas the municipality is already implementing this plan, including moving from underground cables to overhead.
Sakhile Mokoena
14 May 2026
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