This follows the metro’s alleged failure to pay its water bill.

According to Bloem Water’s executive for operations and maintenance, Maruping Rapudungoane, the restrictions came after the metro defaulted on payments since January this year.

Rapudungoane adds that the Mangaung Metro has been defaulting for three years and has failed to honour payment plans. Following an urgent meeting that took place on Monday evening, the two came to an agreement that the restriction would be lifted as the metro paid some of the money to Bloem Water.

Rapudungoane says the metro has made a partial payment of the debt and committed to honour the proposed plan.

Both parties have agreed on this payment plan on the outstanding amount. It was further agreed that there should be a mediation process of the disputed issues by National Treasury, Rapudungoane says.

He says after fruitful deliberations on Monday, the original supply of water was restored.

OFM News is awaiting the response of the Mangaung spokesperson, Qondile Khedama. According to SABC News, the Mangaung Metro insists that it’s Bloem Water that owes the municipality. Khedama allegedly said, “if push comes to shove we will have to take the legal route to make sure that members of the community are not affected by this”.

OFM News/Michael Tlhakudi