Response to Statement as Issued by Bloem Water

MEDIA STATEMENT: RESPONSE TO STATEMENT AS ISSUED BY BLOEM WATER

It has not been the intention of the Mangaung Metro to infuriate members of the community with regards to the ongoing dispute between the City and our water service provider (Bloem Water). On the 11th July, Mangaung Metro paid R29,2 million to Bloem Water as resolved by the mediation team, which dispels the notion that the city is not complying or not doing its due diligence of paying the water entity.

A proposal of the payment plan was submitted to Bloem Water as resolved during the National Treasury mediation meeting which took place on 04 July 2019. However, Bloem Water ignored the plan and resorted to water restrictions.

The City has an ongoing dispute on drought tariff charges between February and June 2019, amongst others. The mediation process resolved that the Department of Water and Sanitation needs to provide clarity on the accuracy of the charges before payment by Mangaung could be effected.

The community of Mangaung can rest assured that the City will do everything its power in making sure that there is no interruption in the water supply. If it means that we approach the court on an urgent basis as a means of intervention, we will definitely do so in the interest of the community of Mangaung.

As Mangaung Metro we will, however, continue to seek a lasting solution in the interest of the Mangaung community.

Ends.
Issued by MMM Communications
Qondile Khedama
GM: Communications
Call Centre: 0800 111 300