Free State municipalities are still failing to keep their heads above water over electricity debt and poor service delivery.

Fifteen towns in the province, which owe Eskom about R3,8 billion, might face a dark Easter weekend if they fail to meet their payment arrangements.

During last year’s State of the Province Address, Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae committed to assist the collapsing municipalities, however the situation has since worsened.

The Nala, Masilonyana, Ngwathe and Moqhaka municipalities owe Eskom billions of rands dating back a decade.

Crumbling infrastructure and collapsing sewage systems continue to plague most communities.

Inconsistent water supply and bad roads are also a challenge.

Community leader, Goitsimang Mahoko, says the Nala Municipality has been rocked by fraud and corruption allegations.

Mahoko says the municipality should be placed under administration.

“The residents here have something like five years without water supply and they even go that side to fetch water. So, the municipality doesn’t even have any means to help residents this side so that they can be able to get water,” says Mahoko.

Residents recently marched to the municipal offices demanding better services.

“Our major concern here in Wesselsbron is water, sewage and our municipality doesn’t care about us,” says one of the residents.

“We are crying about the service delivery. It’s poor, even our municipal manager has failed us. So, I haven’t seen her in years and I don’t recall her calling a meeting,” says another resident.

“There are houses on the other side that I registered for but till today I have not received anything. But those who registered after me have houses there,” says another resident.

“We’ve heard enough. So, there must be a progress so that this thing can be removed and I have nothing more to say,” says another resident.

Recently, the Free State government resolved to place the Matjhabeng Municipality under Section 139 intervention in order to implement a financial recovery plan.

Political instability has hampered service delivery.

The spokesperson of the Matjhabeng Community Foundation, Teboho Elisha, says it owes Vaal Central Water millions of rands and is unable to meet its payment arrangements.

“The Free State provincial government exco took a decision to safeguard the interest of the Matjhabeng residents and to protect the remaining resources of Matjhabeng Local Municipality. So, we welcome the decision. It’s been long overdue but we welcome it,” says Elisha.

Government has also strengthened Section 139 intervention in the Kopanong Municipality.

In Maluti A Phofung, Eskom has come up with a debt relief programme.

Meanwhile, the Moqhaka Municipality owes Eskom R1.5 billion, while Ngwathe owes the power utility R2.3 billion.

Minister of Electricity, Kgosientso Ramokgopa, they will assist the municipalities.

“And we’ll make sure they comply with the payment arrangements, otherwise we are working on making sure that we avoid load reduction at all costs. So, we will also be rolling out the smart metres that will be able to do away with illegal connections,” says Ramokgopa.

Free State municipalities combined owe Eskom R26 billion.

All eyes will be on Premier Macqueen Letsoha-Mathae when she delivers her 2nd state of the province address this Friday.