RESIDENTS of Ditsobotla local municipality in Lichtenburg welcomed the municipality’s move to write off municipal debts owed by poor households.

Mayor Lesego Holele said the municipality reached an agreement to give a reprieve to underprivileged residents after a council meeting.

“We can confirm that we have reached an agreement as the municipality to erase bills of some residents. We know that most of our people are living in appalling conditions.

“We also want to advice our needy residents to apply for indigent assistance. We have also reached an agreement with Eskom regarding the monthly payment. The municipality will pay R5m to Eskom and that will help in settling our bill with them,” Holele said.

Even though Holele was reluctant to say how much was owed to the municipality, the bills were from water and electricity rates.

Eskom spokesperson, Khulu Phasiwe said they have reached an agreement with Ditsobotla local municipality.

He added that they also signed agreements with other 10 municipalities in North West to address the payment system.

“We can say that yes, we met with Ditsobotla local municipality. However we cannot reveal what was our agreement with our client. But we are glad that the agreement is there. We have also met with other local municipalities to address this issue. They also committed themselves and we can say as Eskom we are happy,” Phasiwe said.

The beleaguered local municipality is under section 139 administration.

North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo highlighted that they will monitor situation at various local municipalities in order to improve them.

-TDN

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