He was addressing the media in Welkom during his three-day visit to the province where he engaged with heads of water boards, the Cooperative Governance Department (Cogta), municipal managers, and mayors. 

ALSO READ: Minister to address issues of water, sanitation in FS

The Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality, Welkom-based Matjhabeng Local Municipality, alongside the two water boards - Sedibeng Water and Bloem Water - admitted to payment disputes. The two water boards previously came out and publicly criticised municipalities who are struggling to pay their debts, which are running into millions of rands. 

Mchunu has requested the Free State government and water entities to step up and enhance the delivery of water and decent sanitation.

Meanwhile, Mchunu is on Thursday set to once again address the media on the outcomes of the sessions with municipalities and water entities held in Welkom.

The Mangaung Metro's mayor, Mxolisi Siyonzana, and his City Manager, Sello More, also joined the session held in Welkom with Mchunu.

ALSO READ: Water, Sanitation minister briefed about Maluti-A-Phofung

During a break, Mchunu addressed journalists who had been gathering since 10:00 for the address, which was scheduled for noon.

In his address around 13:30 Mchunu, said he is still being briefed about water and sanitation issues at the cash-strapped Maluti-A-Phofung municipality in the Free State. Mchunu was also meeting with HODs of both the Free State and the Northern Cape.

He said the assessment of Maluti-A-Phofung is an ongoing process. He indicated that he was being briefed about water sources, including pipes that are being prepared for the distribution of water to the treatment plants, and finally to residents through various means, including other stakeholders.

Mchunu told OFM News that the Department of Water and Sanitation has done its part in relation to the distribution of water but the water treatment plants and municipalities are yet to fulfil their task in ensuring that all is well for the distribution of water to residents.  

OFM News previously reported that Bloem Water in June issued a scathing statement, detailing the metro's failures to settle its millions of rands in debt on time.

The water entity at the time said the metro had failed to pay R40 million for March and R71 million for April, and then R20 million which was due on 1 June 2021 was yet to be paid.

According to the entity, this was despite the settlement agreement that the metro would pay its water debt in instalments, and the R1.1 billion owed to it by the metro would be reduced to R715 million.

It said the balance outstanding for March, April, and June, stood at R131 million.

OFM News