Nala Municipality, which includes Bothaville, and Matjhabeng Municipality that includes Welkom, have been battling water interruptions due to their outstanding debt to the Sedibeng Water Board. 

The ministers of Cooperative Governance; Water and Sanitation and their Free State counterparts have intervened in an effort to help the concerned parties reach an agreement.

In a written response to a question tabled in parliament, the National Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said talks between the parties are ongoing. 

The municipalities have defaulted on their payment agreement with the Water Board, and their debt runs in the millions of rand and has led to the Water Board having cash flow problems. 

The ministry said down payments on the outstanding debt have been made by both municipalities.

OFM News