Among the institutions Kopanong is indebted to, are the bulk water supplier Bloem Water and the troubled Mangaung Metro Municipality’s power utility, Centlec. 

The Head of the Free State Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mokete Duma, explains to OFM News that reasons that could be contributing severely to the municipality’s inability to pay their water and electricity accounts is their low revenue collection - which is less than 23%.

“It makes it way difficult for them to be able to service any of their accounts, however, we have encouraged them to have a payment plan to service their accounts,” he said.

ALSO READ: Cash-strapped Kopanong to be put under administration

The MEC for Cogta, Mxolisi Dukwana, and MEC for Provincial Treasury, Gadija Brown, were at a meeting with the municipality to discuss a way forward to assist them to a better state, as they had previously been in talks regarding placing the municipality under administration. Duma further says they have agreed on a plan that will focus on improving three streams of the municipality, which are better governance, better financial management, and ensuring top-quality service delivery.

OFM News