Centlec spokesperson, Lele Mamatu, tells OFM News that there are talks between the provincial government with Centlec but he adds that their stance to disconnect or not will depend on the outcomes of the discussions. He says, as the matter stands, they have not withdrawn from the position to disconnect power to defaulting government departments, including the OR Tambo Building which houses the Offices of Premier Sisi Ntombela.

Mamatu adds that the arrears amount owed to Centlec by the provincial government is more than R200 million.

Meanwhile, Ntombela’s spokesperson, Sello Pietersen, confirmed to OFM News that indeed there were talks between the metro’s power utility and the provincial government. He said such matters, which include Centlec’s debt, will be further discussed today in an ordinary executive council (Exco) sitting.

OFM News previously reported the Metro announced that it will start a drive to recoup close to R8 billion owed to the metro by defaulting consumers.

According to the municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama, the metro is intensifying its credit control and debt collection measures.

This includes restrictions on the water supply to defaulting consumers. Khedama says this is part of efforts to improve the city’s financial health and recover the debt owed to the municipality by businesses, government, and residential properties. He adds that most consumers have already received letters of demand, and those who haven’t received letters yet should be assured that they will receive them before disconnections.

READ MORE: Mangaung metro to retrieve almost R8 billion owed to them

This is a developing story.

OFM News