In his mini-budget, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana stated that the national government would cover 70% of SANRAL’s e-toll debt, but the province would be liable for the other 30%, raising questions about Gauteng’s financial destiny.
Following a widespread civil disobedience campaign, the e-toll issue cost the ANC votes in Gauteng as the public criticised them and said they weren’t adequately consulted. According to Premier Panyaza Lesufi, the provincial administration wants to cancel Soweto’s over R5 billion debt to ESKOM. He is requesting debt forgiveness for hostels, slum areas, and townships.
ESKOM, however, eliminated roughly R8 billion in past-due debt for unpaid electricity bills in Soweto in 2020.
One of the biggest obstacles to ESKOM’s balance sheet is municipal debt. Dr Lumkile Mondi, a senior economic lecturer at Wits, was interviewed by Radio Islam International.