Various businesses and state-owned buildings across Mangaung have recently been left in the dark as Centlec intensifies its credit control and infrastructure verification processes.
The initiative is aimed at improving revenue collection, curbing electricity theft, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of electricity services. Centlec acting spokesperson Tseliso Leba says the process affects all customers, including those in the private and public sectors. “Unfortunately, I would not be in a position to disclose which businesses will be switched off. However, all business premises that have outstanding debt and are not paying will be switched off without any fear or favour.”
Nonetheless, the utility has taken legal action against several defaulters in an effort to recover more than R150 million in outstanding debt. Following favourable court rulings, Leba said they are now in a stronger position to enforce debt collection and ensure compliance. He emphasised that the measures do not target any specific customer or sector, but form part of ongoing efforts to protect revenue streams, maintain infrastructure, and ensure fair service delivery.
The credit control process is conducted monthly in accordance with the utility’s approved credit control and debt collection policy. Loch Logan Waterfront Mall, and the Deeds Office are amongst the buildings affected. In light of the cuts, stores operating in Loch Logan Waterfront Mall informed their clients on their respective social media accounts that they are still open.
DA Mangaung mayoral candidate Werner Pretorius says electricity cuts to key buildings highlight the issue of unpaid municipal debts. He stressed the importance of maintaining electricity at the Deeds Office, warning outages disrupt property transfers and delay residents moving into homes. “A municipality cannot function if it’s not getting its revenue in,” he says. Access to Deeds Office services, however, is vital for protecting property rights, ensuring legal certainty, and supporting economic activity across the Free State.
Meanwhile, residents and businesses are encouraged to be vigilant against scammers falsely claiming to be debt collectors or representatives of the power utility. “They must ignore such requests and not make any payment before verifying the information directly with Centlec.”
