NCOP Chairperson Amos Masondo has written to Free State Premier Mxolisi Dukwana to ask that they intervene and take over the financial administration of the municipality.

The Welkom-based municipality failed to honour various arrangements with service providers. Recently, 24 municipal vehicles to the value of R41 million were attached by the sheriff. During a media briefing, Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha revealed the municipality owes Eskom and Vaal Central Water board over R5 billion each. The municipality also owes third-party contributions.

OFM News reported that the municipality’s bank account was attached following a legal battle with service providers. The troubled municipality was dragged to the High Court in Johannesburg for demands of over R750 million.

It’s led to the non-payment of workers. On Wednesday (25/10) disgruntled workers picketed inside the municipality's premises to express their dissatisfaction.

“The council also notes that the municipality owes service providers almost R270 million, over and above its R5 billion debt to the water board. The council calls on the provincial executive to immediately intervene in terms of section 139(5) of the constitution by taking over the finances of the municipality,” Masondo wrote.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane      Morné Corné Daphné