Eskom abandons Cape Town takeover talks: ‘It makes no sense’ – Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis

John Maytham speaks with Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.

Listen to the interview using the audio player below.

The City of Cape Town was in the late stages of talks with Eskom to take over Eskom supply areas in the city.

The power utility has since broken off these talks.

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Hill-Lewis says they are not giving up and calls on residents to sign a petition to back the City.

He says Eskom's decision is nonsensical, and that it is in its best interest to let the City take over.

Eskom would still have supplied the same amount of electricity to the City directly, which they would distribute to customers.

According to Hill-Lewis, this would guarantee Eskom a 100% revenue collection rate, as they would not have to try collecting from thousands of customers.

“They would be getting more income… it is absolutely in their financial interest to do so.”

- Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mayor - City of Cape Town

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.