Tshwane pays outstanding Rand Water bills, but still owes R600m
"What we do owe Rand Water now is for December and January consumption."
Though the Tshwane metro recently paid its Rand Water account, the water utility is still owed over R600-million.
Rekord spoke to Rand Water today and it confirmed that it had received a payment but not the full outstanding balance.
This has been confirmed by the Tshwane metro, who previously said their account was paid in full.
“What we do owe Rand Water now is for December and January consumption,” confirmed metro spokesperson Selby Bokaba.
“We have made a payment proposal to settle the December and January consumption by February 28.”
Water utility spokesperson Makenosi Maroo confirmed that the metro had paid – but not in full.
“They’ve short-paid by around R310-million.”
“The overdue amount is around R310-million and the current amount of R299-million.”
She said the metro had a total debt of R609.8-million.
Maroo said previously that it had escalated its debt management plan to Tshwane mayor Randall Williams, without specifying what such plan was.
She said Tshwane had failed to honour its payments timeously and instead made intermittent short payments often months after due date.
She said Tshwane and the utility had previously met and agreed a payment plan.
“The metro, however, does not fully honour the agreed arrangements.”
She said the problem of late or non-payment began in June 2021 and continued to date.
On January 26, the Tshwane audit performance committee explained in detail to the council the service delivery problems that occasion low water revenue collection.
It said the metro had lost 114-million kilolitres of water in the 2021/22 financial year and recommended the metro:
– improve leak repair responsiveness
– reduce water wastage
– install water meters in unmetered houses
– audit meters to improve billing information
– replace meters to improve the accuracy of readings
– restrict supply to delinquent customers
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