JOHANNESBURG - Treasury wants Eskom to write off around R70-billion of municipal debt.
That's before it takes over part of the utility's R400-billion debt.
READ: Analyst | Govt takeover of Eskom debt will help power utility
There have long been calls to cancel Soweto's R5-billion debt.
But the relief comes with strict conditions, including cutting off non-paying users.
Trevor Ngwane from the Soweto Electricity Crisis Committee says this will hurt and not help residents.
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“If you look at the proposal to scrap the debt, it’s a carrot and stick approach.
"So if you do certain things as a municipality, you will be rewarded.
"But if you do certain things or don’t do certain things, you will be punished," Ngwane said.