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The Amathole District Municipality in the Eastern Cape said it started disconnecting debtors who owe the District Municipality a staggering R927 million as of the end of January.
ADM spokesperson, Nonceba Madikizela-Vuso, said provincial government departments owe more than R15.7 million, of which the Department Education accounts for R5.1million rand and the Department of Health, just over R2 million.
“The disconnection has had a negative impact on schooling as most schools have closed due to a lack of water. The dire consequences of the non-payment by the DoE will be to the detriment of pupils,” she said.
Madikizela-Vuso said the most alarming was that six municipalities that make up the Amathole District Municipality, owe more than R52.7 million, with only the Nqushwa Municipality at Butterworth, up to date.
“Raymond Mhlaba is the only municipality that has not made arrangements to pay its excessive R31 million debt.”
Madikizela-Vuso said businesses in the District owe “a staggering R76 016 938.”
She said while disconnections were affected at errant businesses, she said was more alarming was the fact that none of the affected businesses have stepped forward to pay or make arrangements.
"This means that some of these businesses may still be benefitting illicitly from our services through illegal water connections. Hence inspections on business properties will be conducted and those found to have illegal connections will be dealt with accordingly," she said.
