South African power utility, Eskom, has given Zesa Holdings until the end of this month to clear its debt of $43 million, failure of which it threatens to cut 300 megawatts from the amount it is supplying Zimbabwe per day, raising fears of load-shedding.

Zimbabwe consumes more than 1 400 megawatts per day and a cut of 300 megawatts would have a damaging impact on industry and winter wheat cropping under way.

Zesa Holdings has managed to pay off Eskom $46 million, leaving a balance of $43 million. The power utility also owes Hydro Cahora Bassa of Mozambique $40 million. Eskom wrote to Zesa stating that “no further lenience or accommodation” would be given to Zimbabwe with effect from June 1 with regards to the outstanding debt.

Zesa earlier this year made payment plans with regional power utilities, but foreign currency shortages have seen it defaulting.