JOHANNESBURG - Eskom said its evenue collection had declined significantly, especially during lockdown level 5.
On Monday, the utility told Eyewitness News that Soweto residents had made some progress in paying off their cumulative debt, which was now sitting at R12.9 billion. South African households have been hit hard financially during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many companies laying off staff while the unemployed are battling to put food on the table.
Eskom Gauteng senior manager Daphne Mokwena said for six weeks during March and April, the company battled to collect revenue from consumers despite still providing them with electricity. She said with the easing of the lockdown on 1 May, the utility started to notice an improvement in users paying their bills.Municipal debt has increased by R8 billion in just the past year and Eskom is now owed R28 billion.Download the EWN app to your iOS or Android device.