This follows after the metro lodged an urgent interdict against the water board at the Free State High Court in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, with the court ruling in Mangaung’s favour.

Judge Joseph Mhlambi ordered the water board to lift restrictions it imposed on the water supply to all areas in the metro on Monday, as it was in violation of its Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the metro. He said Bloem Water was supposed to have notified the metro of its intention to cut water supply 30 days ahead of the time. Bloem Water says from Tuesday 17 July, it served the metro with its intention to impose water restrictions, which will come into effect a month later, should the metro’s water bill not be up to date.

In a statement issued yesterday, following the court appearance, Bloem Water stated that it issued a new 30-day Notice of Intention to restrict water based on the current non-payment. Bloem Water spokesperson, Kido Thoabala, previously said these water restrictions come as it was previously agreed during the mediation process by National Treasury that the metro would pay off the outstanding debt over a period of 12 months from May 2019 and Bloem Water would write off the interest of the debt, but the municipality allegedly failed to comply with this.

Meanwhile, Municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, told OFM News on Monday that the metro paid R29,2 million to the service provider and further said this proves the municipality did adhere to the payment agreement, as disputed by Bloem Water.

Khedama, however, does not explain whether payments were made in May and June. The court is expected to rule on this today. Meanwhile, in his latest statement following the metro’s urgent interdict against BloemWater earlier this week, Khedama says the metro remains committed to adhering to the payment plan with Bloem Water.

Meanwhile, the metro’s executive mayor, Olly Mlamleli, says she is looking for alternatives on the water situation and furthermore looks forward to resolving the longstanding impasse with the water provider. The sooner this matter is laid to rest, the better. “I have mandated the management of the city as a water authority, the engineering directorate, in particular, to be futuristic and explore mechanisms of increasing our own water supply capacity beyond 30%. This will allow us an opportunity to cover a wider range of water provision in the city. Water disputes have far-reaching consequences that range from household consumption, business and ultimately the economy of the city. I would like to see cooperation amongst the institutions rather than dispute.” Mlamleli and her delegation will once again meet with Bloem Water next week Tuesday in an effort to resolve the matter.

OFM News