SASOLBURG – At least 15 government facilities in Metsimaholo Local Municipality have had their electricity supply disconnected over a staggering R85m in debt.
According to MLM spokesperson, Dr. Gino Alberts, approximately 15 municipal accounts linked to government departments and public facilities were affected due to nonpayment.
Gino said the accounts primarily relate to facilities administered under Public Works on behalf of various provincial departments.
Some of the unplugged departments included Licensing Authority, Department of Education offices, Provincial Government offices, and Human Settlements buildings.
“The affected accounts are more than 90 days in arrears, with some balances having accumulated over an extended period due to persistent non-payment. The municipality strictly followed due process in line with its Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy,” he said.
Gino said proper processes were followed before the actioning of the disconnections. “Issuing formal notices of arrears, providing opportunities for payment arrangements, continuous account reconciliation efforts, written correspondence proposing intergovernmental engagements were applied, and offering assistance to resolve billing discrepancies where applicable.”
“Disconnections were implemented only after repeated attempts to secure payment yielded no satisfactory resolution,” he said.
To calm public fears, the municipality confirmed that hospitals were not disconnected. Some clinics were temporarily affected but have since been reconnected.
“Urgent steps were taken to restore supply to ensure minimal disruption to essential healthcare services,” Alberts said.
Since the disconnections, about R3m has been paid, leading to the reconnection of certain facilities.
MLM has formally written to the Free State Provincial Government and other relevant authorities to address the debt crisis.
Engagements are currently underway to reconcile accounts and find a solution, but the municipality is standing firm.
“Failure to collect revenue, including from government institutions, places the entire municipality and its residents at risk of broader service instability,” Alberts warned.
