Riyaz Patel
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says it’s “shocked” to learn that the Gauteng Provincial Government Departments owes ANC-led local municipalities over R89m for utilities.
The DA’s Kingsol Chabalala said this emerged after the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Lebogang Maile replied to his question in the Gauteng Legislature.
Maile said Gauteng Provincial Government Departments owe R89 503 016,41 to Emfuleni Local Municipality, Lesedi Local Municipality, Mogale City Local Municipality and Merafong Local Municipality, according to a DA statement.
The money owed is for utilities and is overdue by over 120 days.
“Emfuleni is owed a total of R49 647 977,72 of which Gauteng Department of Education owes R 11 265 058,46, the Gauteng Health Department owes R18 347 003,51 and the Human Settlements department owes R257 297,44,” the DA said.
Merafong is owed R14 217 599,21, Mogale City R12 996 983,23 and Lesedi R12 640 646,25.
Most of these municipalities have unfunded mandates and they have no money to render services to their residents. This money owed to them could help to ease their financial pressure, said Chabalala.
“Embattled Emfuleni Municipality is struggling to pay debt owed to Eskom and Rand Water as well as to deliver basic services such as sanitation and refuse removal.”
The DA wants Maile to urgently intervene and get the respective departments to make payment arrangements as soon as possible.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government must lead by example in paying for utility debt owed to municipalities so that residents can follow suit,” said Chabalala.
