The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) and City Power have expressed their dissatisfaction with a recent Johannesburg High Court ruling that favored state-owned utility Eskom in a payment dispute.
They assert that the court failed to thoroughly examine crucial aspects of the evidence presented.
Right to Appeal Maintained
While acknowledging and respecting the court’s decision, the CoJ and City Power have made it clear that they reserve the right to appeal the ruling. They released a media statement on June 21st, highlighting their intention to pursue further legal action if necessary.
City Power alleges that Eskom, despite their attempts to engage in mediation and exhaust all available intergovernmental dispute resolution mechanisms, chose to bypass these channels and prematurely seek a court resolution.
Outstanding Debt from Eskom
Further complicating the dispute, City Power emphasizes that Eskom owes them a substantial sum of R3.4 billion. This outstanding debt adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing disagreement between the parties.
The CoJ and City Power have formally lodged an appeal, believing that a full bench of the court would arrive at a different conclusion after a more comprehensive review of all relevant evidence. They are hopeful that a higher court will reconsider the case and potentially overturn the previous ruling.