# Electricity and Energy minister Kgosientsho Ramogkopa says South Africa’s underperforming economy, combined with electricity tariffs, is making it increasingly difficult for residents to pay for the electricity they use. Municipalities collectively owe over 400-billion-rand, and in return, municipalities owe Eskom just above 100-billion-rand. Ramogkopa says the inability of customers to pay for electricity creates a vicious cycle, with more residents looking to illegal connections, putting pressure on the grid. He adds that a critical step in addressing debt owed to municipalities is to crack down on illegal connections.
Minister Ramogkopa says municipalities cannot collect revenue for the services they provide