The Democratic Alliance (DA) has once again warned Gamagara Municipality that urgent and decisive action is required to improve financial management and compliance with the Eskom debt relief programme, to avoid the municipality losing millions of rands that could fund much-needed service delivery improvements.
The warning follows Mayor Johannes Roman’s praise of the municipality’s performance, coming just before an Auditor-General (AG) briefing contradicted him and highlighted the urgent need for stronger debt collection measures to ensure the municipality meets its obligations under Eskom’s debt relief program.
According to the latest available financial data, the amount owed to Eskom in September 2025 totalled R747 million. This is an increase from R650 million owed in February of last year, raising red flags about adherence to the debt relief programme.
The consequences of the municipality’s continued disregard for repeated warnings from the DA, Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Treasury, and the AG’s Office will be severe and will directly harm all residents of Gamagara. Beyond the catastrophic impact on service delivery, non-compliance could also trigger load reduction, further crippling local businesses that are already struggling with poor roads, water shortages, and rising crime.
The DA has prepared a comprehensive set of questions for next week’s scheduled finance committee meeting. We demand clear answers and an urgent commitment to make the Eskom debt relief programme work for the benefit of every resident in Gamagara.
The municipality cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer. The DA will continue to hold the municipality accountable and push for immediate, transparent action that does not further jeopardize the municipality’s future.