Cradock residents warned after Eskom cut rumours spread

Residents of Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality have been urged to remain calm after a notice circulating on social media suggested that electricity supply to the municipality could be interrupted or reduced by Eskom.

The municipality issued a media statement on Monday, 16 March 2026, saying it had not received any formal communication from Eskom regarding a possible disconnection.

Municipality responds to social media rumours

According to the statement issued by the office of Executive Mayor Noncedo Zonke, the municipality became aware of a notice circulating online suggesting Eskom may cut or reduce electricity supply to the area.

However, municipal officials said they have not received official correspondence confirming such action.

“The Inxuba Yethemba Municipality has taken note of the Eskom notice currently circulating on social media about the possible interruption or reduction of electricity supply,” the statement said.

“We want to assure residents that the municipality has not received any formal correspondence from Eskom regarding this matter.”

Residents were urged not to panic or rely on unverified information spreading online.

“We therefore urge our community to remain calm and not be alarmed by information circulating on social media.”

Similar dispute previously taken to court

The municipality also pointed out that the situation is not entirely new.

A similar dispute occurred in 2021 when the High Court raised concerns about the affordability of cutting electricity to residents and ruled against the disconnection of power to communities within the municipality.

Municipal leaders say this judgment remains an important factor in the ongoing dispute.

Tariff dispute with Eskom

According to the municipality, the core issue between the municipality and Eskom relates to a longstanding dispute over electricity tariffs.

The municipality claims that for several years Eskom billed it using an incorrect tariff structure. Officials say the municipality was charged under the “Nightshift Save” tariff instead of the “Megaflex” tariff.

Municipal leaders argue that the billing discrepancy placed the municipality under severe financial pressure and contributed to the Eskom debt accumulated over several years.

They also noted that the debt situation spans across three previous municipal administrations.

Majority of consumers supplied directly by Eskom

Another major challenge highlighted by the municipality is the structure of electricity supply in the area.

According to municipal officials, more than 60% of electricity consumers within the municipality receive their electricity directly from Eskom rather than through the municipality.

This limits the municipality’s ability to enforce normal credit control measures.

Typically, municipalities rely on restricting electricity supply to households that fail to pay municipal accounts. However, when Eskom supplies electricity directly, the municipality has limited control over that process.

Municipality plans to return to court

Due to the unresolved disputes and the previous High Court ruling, the municipality says it intends to return to court if necessary.

Officials argue that the earlier court judgment already prevents Eskom from disconnecting electricity to residents of Inxuba Yethemba.

“The municipality remains committed to protecting the interests of our residents and will continue to pursue all legal avenues to ensure that our community is treated fairly,” the statement said.

Residents have been encouraged to follow official municipal communication channels for updates rather than relying on unverified posts circulating online.