Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
Lost electricity is power the metro bought but could not sell, so it earned nothing for it. The 2024-25 figures are in the metro's audited financial statements. The Auditor-General's 2024-25 report puts four years of losses at R4.53 billion, above the 10% norm in each year.
Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Published 30 January 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 127 (PDF page 128), note 37.1 'Electricity Losses': total loss 26.81% (technical 8.00%, non-technical 18.81%), R1,483,672,478; 'The NMBM suffered electricity losses of 26.81% amounting to total accumulative losses of R 1.48 billion (2024:26.34% amounting to R 1.20 billion)'; non-technical losses attributed to illegal connections, meter tampering and non-billed revenue due to faulty meters
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 206 (PDF page 210), Nelson Mandela Bay profile, 'Distribution losses over administration': electricity losses R4,53bn (4 years more than 10% norm)
Daily Maverick. Published 28 June 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 20: a National Treasury presentation puts electricity losses at 26.8%. Paragraph 5: Treasury says the electricity function runs at a structural deficit. Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Babalwa Lobishe (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance, Defenders of the People, African Independent Congress. From Oct 2024 to present.
EWN. Published 31 October 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (ANC councillor Lobishe elected uncontested as mayor); paragraph 2 (she resigned as deputy mayor on Thursday morning); paragraph after the 'ALSO READ' link (Van Niekerk elected deputy mayor unopposed)
Daily Maverick. Published 21 July 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 6 (AIM's Khusta Jack resigned from the coalition in May); paragraph 7 (ANC 47 in coalition with EFF 7, NA 3, Defenders of the People 2, PAC 1 and AIC 1, with UDM voting support; 62 of 120 seats). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
Daily Maverick. Published 13 September 2026.
Where to look: Paragraph 5 (three government changes since 2021); paragraph 11 (coalition partners the EFF, PAC, Northern Alliance and AIC); paragraph 14 (EFF leads Electricity and Energy, and Budget and Treasury). Paragraph 1 is the first body paragraph after the standfirst.
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