Threat to cut Zimbabwe power over unpaid bills

South Africa’s state-owned power company Eskom has threatened to cut electricity supplies to Zimbabwe next month if it fails to settle debts amounting to about $9m (£7m) because of a currency shortage, Zimbabwe’s state-owned Herald newspaper reports.

Eskom’s threat has raised fears of load-shedding, which would have a negative impact on businesses and the farming sector, the newspaper adds.

It quotes a letter from Eskom CEO Matshela Koko, warning Zimbabwe’s state-owned power firm that “no further lenience or accommodation will be made” over the repayment of arrears.