CENTLEC is struggling to recover debts exceeding R1 billion, forcing the electricity distribution company for the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to disconnect power to several Free State provincial government buildings and other properties in Bloemfontein.
The utility said the mass disconnections, which began last week, were necessary to recover long-standing arrears that have hindered its ability to maintain a stable power supply.
The move has affected government offices, businesses and residential properties.
“As we have mentioned in our statement issued on February 5, Centlec has made multiple efforts to engage with all defaulting customers, guided by our approved Credit Control and Debt Collection Policy. Despite these efforts, a significant number of accounts remained unpaid,” Centlec spokesperson Lele Mamatu told The Free Stater.
Mamatu declined to disclose a breakdown of the debt, citing confidentiality requirements, but confirmed that both public and private entities were among those in arrears.
He warned that continued non-payment could jeopardise Centlec’s financial stability and its ability to provide essential services.
“Unpaid debt has a negative impact on our ability to deliver quality services,” Mamatu said.
“Without financial resources, we are unable to maintain and strengthen our network, procure material for repairs and ensure electrification projects continue.”
Free State provincial government spokesperson Matshediso Setai described the disconnections as an “unfortunate but understandable course of action”, acknowledging that the government owed Centlec for both arrears and current accounts.
She confirmed that the disconnections affected key government buildings, including the Fidel Castro Building, which houses the departments of Education, Treasury and Human Settlements, and the OR Tambo Building, home to the Office of the Premier, Public Works and Infrastructure, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, and the Lengau Testing Station.
“The disruptions have had minimal impact on service delivery as backup generators are available in all affected government buildings,” Setai said.
“It is also important to mention that the Free State provincial financial systems . . . remain operational, ensuring that service delivery is not affected.”
She added that the provincial government had established a task team comprising representatives from the Free State provincial government, Centlec and the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality to negotiate a long-term payment plan to address the debt.
“While it would be premature to pre-empt the outcomes at this stage, discussions are progressing smoothly,” Setai said.
“Given the massive arrears, there will certainly be no quick fixes, but rather a commitment by all parties to a sustainable plan.”
Centlec confirmed that electricity disconnections in the Mangaung supply area were ongoing and that only customers who made payments or reached payment arrangements had been reconnected.
“As far as we are concerned, no essential services have been affected by the disconnections,” Mamatu said.
He urged all customers with outstanding invoices to make arrangements to avoid further disruptions.
The power utility reiterated that the disconnections were part of its routine credit control process and not targeted at specific individuals or groups.
It has appealed for public cooperation, emphasising that revenue collection is essential to ensuring the continued provision of electricity services.