Mangaung Metro vows to halt services in defaulting departments

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality in the Free State says it will intensify its programme to switch off services to defaulting government departments.

The cash-strapped municipality was placed under administration in 2019.

The municipality is currently owed almost R8 billion in unpaid rates and taxes by government, businesses and residents.

The municipality is under pressure to collect what is due to them from those who are obligated to pay for services rendered; and will be intensifying revenue collection measures including restricting water supply to defaulting customers.

Spokesperson Qondile Khedama says various government departments owe the municipality money dating back three years ago.

“At the centre of it is the provincial government that does not pay the municipality and those are the first people we are going to for disconnection. And the other category would be your business people who owe around R2 billion to the municipality. For the municipality to be able to provide quality services, people must pay. That is why we are going for the jugular.”

More details in the statement below:

Poor service delivery

Meanwhile, residents of Bloemfontein have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Mangaung Metro Municipality’s intention to cut off services to those who are not paying their rates and taxes.

Many of the residents lament poor service delivery by the municipality.

Some residents say the roads are not maintained, and rubbish left uncollected for weeks.

The municipality says it will start with its operation to switch off water supply to government and business this week.

In the related video below, a conversation on how local municipalities should handle municipal debt: