The Newcastle Municipality has revealed that residents owe over R2.4 billion in unpaid accounts, disputing claims made in a recent Eskom debt report that it describes as misleading.
The Newcastle Local Municipality says residents and consumers owe the municipality more than R2.4 billion in unpaid accounts, while its debt to Eskom currently stands at R670.5 million under a payment plan agreement.
The municipality released the figures on Tuesday as it sought to clarify what it described as misinformation surrounding its financial position and obligations to Eskom.
In a statement, the municipality rejected a recent article on the Eskom debt. According to the municipality, the article created a false impression by focusing only on debt owed to Eskom while failing to reflect the broader financial realities facing the institution.
“The publication of sensationalised and unverified information compromises the integrity, credibility, and public image of the Municipality,” it said.
