While the overall capacity of major water systems and reservoirs in the Free State is at 107,7%, taps are dry in the nine towns of the Kopanong Local Municipality.
This is after Bloem Water reduced bulk supply by 30%, effective on Friday (28/01).
The entity stated that the municipality had failed to pay its bulk water accounts over six months, with the last payment made in July last year. This payment was made after Bloem Water had issued a 30-day notice threatening to reduce bulk supply to the municipality.
Kopanong’s debt to Bloem Water reportedly stood at R9,5 million as of December 2021.
The municipality’s failure to pay continued breaching several intergovernmental relations intervention processes intended to address escalating debt.
The municipality and the supplier had accepted several interventions and agreements aimed at alleviating the severe situation of non-payment of the bulk water account.
Yet another deal was signed early last year after supply had been reduced, and following intervention by the national government. The municipality had also disputed its account, citing inaccuracy as the reason for this. Bloem Water has stated that non-payment by the municipality cripples its ability to supply water and deliver on its mandate to the public. According to the supplier, a reduction in supply should have been effective last year.
“This was however suspended pending the outcome of a lawsuit launched by the Bethulie Ratepayers’ Association (BRA). The body contended that the notice to reduce supply was unconstitutional, as it punished the order civilians who are paying their rates and taxes,” Bloem Water mentioned in a media statement issued on Friday (28/01).
This legal objection was aimed at restoring the water supply to all nine towns in the Kopanong Municipality.
A court outcome in favour of the supplier was, however, made at the beginning of December, which gave the supplier the go-ahead to implement water restrictions.
Despite this, the trouble-ridden Kopanong authority failed to make any payment arrangement.
The impact of the supply being reduced to 30% reaches across the nine Kopanong towns, affecting consumers, schools and health services.
Residents continue bearing the brunt of the municipality’s financial affairs.
Taps in the homes of residents staying in high-lying areas of the towns are dry and they are subjected to the struggle of fetching water from miles away, using every available container.
“This is a clear indication of the ANC-led Kopanong Local Municipality’s inability to manage its finances. This is an infringement of residents’ right to access to water,” said Karabo Khakhau, DA member of the provincial legislature at the Kopanong Constituency.
Drowning in debt, Kopanong suspended its municipal manager, Martin Khubeka, in December, citing failure to pay its employees for three months and non-compliance with National Treasury protocols in supplying the required documentation for the council to receive its equitable share from the government.
Treasury had apparently withheld the equitable share due to non-compliance with Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) prescripts, a legislative requirement to monitor and oversee the financial expenditure and performance of a municipality.
This is a clear indication of the ANC-led Kopanong Local Municipality’s inability to manage its finances– Karabo Khakhau
