A presentation by the executive management of the municipality detailed that they have in addition made another payment of R15 million to Eskom. It was presented before the National Committee of Provinces (NCOP) select committee sitting on Friday morning that, although the municipality is still not in a position to settle their full debt to these entities, they have a payment plan in place to settle the debt over time. 

Matjhabeng is the largest contributor to the debt owed by municipalities to this water board, which amounts to over R7 billion. 

Friday marks the ninth day of water shortages in many parts of the Free State capital and a significant 76% water loss in the municipality.

The NCOP sitting continued for the second day on Friday, The committee’s chairperson, China Dodovu, awarded spokesperson Mpho Mojanaga of the Mangaung pressure group, Mangaung Service Delivery Forum, an opportunity to address the sitting, explaining Thursday's protest march. In conclusion, a memorandum of MSDF’s concerns was submitted to the committee.

Dodovu expressed his disappointment that the speaker, Bekhumzi Stofile, and the municipal manager, Zingisa Tindleni, of Matjhabeng were not present at the sitting. However, the executive mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipha, explained the municipal manager had a court hearing to attend this morning on behalf of the municipality.

OFM News/Corn Koteli