The Mangaung Municipal area could face another water crisis just four months after Bloem Water took drastic steps, reducing the pressure of the main water supply due to outstanding debt.
The DA in the Mangaung Council expressed its concern about the Metro’s financial stability because of its outstanding debt to the Water Board. The party said it’s irresponsible of the Metro not to pay its debt, which could ultimately impact services to residents. Councillor Rossouw Botes says adding to the debt is the deteriorating state of water and sanitation infrastructure of the cash-strapped municipality.
Early this year OFM News reported that the Mangaung Metro and Kopanong Local Municipalities are topping the list of municipalities owing Bloem Water. The municipality did not respond to OFM News’ detailed questions.
In the face of outstanding water debts, several municipalities in the province are also faced with power cuts due to millions in outstanding debt to Eskom.
Free State owes Eskom over R4.4 billion, making it the province with the biggest number of municipalities who are defaulting. – Katleho Morapela / OFM News
katleho@centralmediagroup.co.za
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