EFF provincial chairperson, Mandisa Makesini, says municipalities such as the cash-strapped Bloemfontein-based Mangaung Metro Municipality, Maluti-A-Phofung, Kopanong and Metsimaholo are perfect examples. 

She says residents do not have access to clean water and sanitation due to gross negligence and mismanagement of funds. Makesini, during a media conference in Bloemfontein, said across all five regions in the province none of the municipalities deliver proper services.

"The Free State has not had functional municipalities for the last five consecutive financial years. The Auditor-General has expressed that in all these municipalities, consequence management is not happening. The Mangaung Metro is a perfect example how a municipality can be used as a cash-cow. The metro was downgraded twice by rating agencies, they have been under administration," Makesini adds.

OFM News previously reported that municipalities across the province were lambasted for failing for honour their debts with various state entities - such as water boards and power utility Eskom. Amongst those are Mangaung, Matjhaneng and Maluti-A-Phofung.

Last week the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, said Free State municipalities have made concessions to water boards, and plans to address the debts are afoot.

Mchunu said Mangaung Metro, 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. At one point, Mangaung owed Bloem Water R1 billion.

OFM News