THE Free State provincial government’s failure to honour its electricity bills has led to a disgraceful and avoidable crisis.
With Centlec forced to disconnect power to key government buildings due to unpaid debts exceeding R1 billion, the consequences of financial mismanagement are now painfully clear.
While the provincial administration scrambles for damage control, the reality is simple: no entity, including the government, can expect uninterrupted services without paying for them.
For years, residents and businesses have been warned that failure to settle their accounts would result in service disconnections.
Now, government departments are facing the same reality.
It is unacceptable that an institution responsible for enforcing financial discipline in municipalities cannot meet its own obligations.
The provincial government must set the standard, not become a habitual defaulter.
The excuses offered by provincial spokesperson Matshediso Setai – that service delivery remains unaffected due to backup generators – are tone-deaf and out of touch with ordinary citizens who suffer when the lights go out.
If the government truly valued service delivery, it would have ensured timely payment to Centlec, rather than waiting until drastic action was taken.
Centlec’s actions, though disruptive, are necessary.
The utility has made repeated attempts to recover what is owed, and allowing arrears to mount indefinitely would only deepen the crisis.
Without sufficient revenue, Centlec cannot maintain infrastructure, procure materials, or expand electrification projects.
The same government that promotes economic development cannot justify starving the very entity that powers businesses, hospitals and homes across the Free State capital.
The establishment of a task team to negotiate a long-term payment plan is a welcome step, but it is not a substitute for responsible financial management.
The people of the Free State deserve a government that prioritises accountability over crisis management.
A commitment to settling electricity debts must be matched by clear action, including prioritising essential service payments in future budgets.
It is time for the Free State government to lead by example.
If residents and businesses are expected to pay for services, so too must the provincial administration.
Anything less is a betrayal of public trust and a threat to service delivery in the province.