• The MK party and former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe suggested a solution to Eskom to resolve municipalities’ debts to the state-owned enterprise.
• He suggested that the whole country should use prepaid electricity and said this would avoid debt.
• South Africans debated this suggestion, with some agreeing with the MP and others trashing him.

Tebogo Mokwena, In brief News current affairs journalist, covered news relating to economy, finance, banking and state-owned enterprises during his seven years at Daily Sun and Vutivi Economic news.

PARLIAMENT, WESTERN CAPE — Former Eskom boss and MK Party MP Brian Molefe suggested in Parliament on December 4, 2024 that the entire country should move to prepaid electricity to avoid owing Eskom billions in unpaid bills.

Brian Molefe makes a prepaid suggestion

@Newzroom405 released a video of Molefe asking a question during a parliamentary session. Molefe said the municipal debt can be resolved by buy prepaid electricity.

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“What will it take to put the whole of South Africa on prepayment? Because that way a municipality will also have to pay for its electricity. So there will be no problem of debt at 30 days increasing to three years for five years and so on,” he said.

He added that Eskom I already had a project to start prepaid electricity deployments to Soweto, Midrand and Sandton in Gauteng.

Watch the clip here:

South Africans discuss suggestion

Netizens discussed the recommendation.

Some agreed with him

Rabs G said:

“He’s right again.”

Unvaccinated King said:

“Completely remove municipalities from the electricity supply value chain and cut out the middlemen.”

Mr. If said:

“Brian Molefe must explain to these new Eskom leaders how he managed Eskom’s debt without subjecting the poor to such drastic measures.”

Others disagree

Fit for purpose said:

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“Youthful thinking. The matter is very complex and requires a serious mind.”

I’m too gentle, I said:

“This is not a realistic business model. A company cannot have just one option for all its customers. It must meet the preferences of all its customers.”

Manero said:

“The best solution is for everyone to open an account directly with Eskom.”

City of Tshwane to settle Eskom debt

In a related article, In brief News reported that Tshwane agreed to pay Eskom R400 million of its debt of 6.6 billion rand.

Tshwane and Eskom reached an amicable settlement and Eskom said it was satisfied with the agreement.

Source: In Brief News