Billions owed by Free State municipalities threatens water security

The enormous R10 billion debt that five Free State municipalities owe bulk water supplier Vaal Central Water is threatening water security in the province.

The water utility recently reported its mounting debt to the Free State Legislature’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance, saying it would cause cashflow problems.

Some municipalities have already declared that they are unable to pay their debt.

Committee chairperson Armand Cloete says this is a classic case of mismanagement.

“Ultimately, it’s an interstate debt crisis we are experiencing in the Free State currently. Why do I say that? Well, the state is owing itself money. A municipality owes a water board such as Vaal Central Water…these are huge amounts, and it affects residents. Residents are buying water or they are paying for water but when the debt levels are growing and Vaal Central decides to stop the water, it affects those residents; and that’s a problem we have to attend to quite quickly.”

Hertzogville 

Last month, SABC News followed up with residents of Hertzogville in the province who called on the Tokologo Municipality to intervene in the problem of water scarcity.

They said their taps have been dry for almost six months, leaving them running around daily in search of water.

They claim that water is delivered to selective areas, leaving others with no plan to access water daily.

More details in the report below: